Asia is a region of dynamic economic changes, fuelled by rapid population growth, urbanization, increased incomes, demand-led processes and changing consumer preferences for foods of animal origin. The projected total meat and milk consumption levels for 2020 are far in excess of anticipated supp...
Devendra, C.
,
[Animal production and rainfed agriculture in Asia: Potential opportunities for productivity enhancement]
,
Animal production and rainfed agriculture in Asia: Potential opportunities for productivity enhancement
Integrated crop-animal systems are important in Asia. Both ruminants and non-ruminants are used in a variety of combinations with annual and perennial crops in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, China and Sri Lanka. These combined systems provide distinct economic benefits, and are more compat...
Devendra, C.
,
[Mixed farming and intensification of animal production systems in Asia]
,
Mixed farming and intensification of animal production systems in Asia
The integration of crop and animal production is well developed in the farming systems of Asia, particularly those in small-scale agriculture. There is marked complementarity in resource use in these systems, with inputs from one sector being supplied to others. Specific examples of the main crop...
Crop-animal systems, in which livestock play a multi-purpose role, are the backbone of Asian agriculture. In the future, increased productivity from livestock will be necessary in these systems to meet the increased demand for animal products, to alleviate poverty and to improve the livelihoods o...
Devendra, C.
,
Thomas, D.
,
[Crop-animal systems in Asia: Importance of livestock and characterisation of agro-ecological zones]
,
Crop-animal systems in Asia: Importance of livestock and characterisation of agro-ecological zones
This review paper discusses the relevance and potential importance of food-feed systems in Asian agricultural systems, and in particular the role and contribution of legumes to these systems. A food-feed system is one that maintains, if not increases, the yield of food crops, sustains soil fertil...
In the next two decades, the demand for animal products will more than double. The concluding paper provides some considered predictions on the future for crop animal systems in Asia, as a consequence of this trend. Although meat and eggs from non ruminants in industrial systems will continue to ...
Agricultural production in Asia emphasises intensive rice and wheat production. Other systems are associated with maize, cassava, trees and a range of secondary crops. Both monoculture and multiple cropping systems are common, with crops being grown for subsistence and cash. Irrigated agriculture...
Feed resources and nutrition constitute the principal technical constraints to ruminant production in Asia. Four main categories of feed resources are potentially available for use in smallholder crop-animal systems. These are pastures (native and improved grasses, herbaceous legumes and multi-pu...
Devendra, C.
,
Sevilla, C.C.
,
[Availability and use of feed resources in crop-animal systems in Asia]
,
Availability and use of feed resources in crop-animal systems in Asia
The importance of crop-animal systems in Asia, the multiple roles played by animals and the opportunities for increasing their contribution to these systems justifies continued research effort. An assessment of the role of livestock in mixed farming systems in 14 countries has identified priority...