Browsing by Author "Vaarst, Mette"

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    Agro-ecological system analysis (AESA) and farm planning
    (Organic eprints, 2016) Vaarst, Mette; Nalunga, Jane
    Organic agriculture is based on knowledge, insight and whole farm approaches. The farming system must work for each farmer family. Crop rotation cycles must be based on planning ahead, sometimes more than 2 years, so that different elements of the farm can work together. Intercropping must be based on knowledge on which crops support each other. The surrounding nature must be considered in the planning, e.g. rainfall, animals in the environment, where some of them can be predators and some can eat the crops. Herbs and weeds can prove to be valuable sources of nutrients, medicine or bio-pesticides.
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    Animal husbandary practices of smallholder organic farmers in Uganda: Challenges and future prospects
    (Building Organic Bridges, 2014) Nalubwama, Sylvia; Kiggundu, Muhammad; Vaarst, Mette
    Organic agriculture development in Uganda has been mainly in crop production. Currently certified organic livestock production is non-existent. However, some of the existing animal husbandry practices of smallholder organic farmers are similar to those recommended in organic animal husbandry. A survey to understand these practices and challenges was conducted among ninety certified organic pineapple farmers in two districts using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results indicated that organic farmers kept a diversity of livestock species. Most organic farm (81%) had cattle. Other species owned were goats, pigs and chicken. Farmers mainly kept indigenous livestock breeds and majority (90%) used natural mating as a form of animal breeding. Farmers in Luwero district kept a significantly higher (P< 0.001) number of cattle (mean 2.3) than in Kayunga district (mean 1.6). Sixty four percent of farmers had no housing for their livestock. Natural pastures and crop residues formed bulk of feed for ruminants and pigs. Tethering was the commonest form of management system in ruminants (90%). Pigs (60%) and chicken (95%) were under free range system. There was a significant relationship (P= 0.047) between breed of cattle and grazing system. Major challenges of livestock production were inadequate feeds, pests and diseases. Selection of tolerant breeds and use of herbal concoctions were the adopted coping strategies. Majority of farmers (100%) resorted to use of synthetic chemical drugs in case of failure of these strategies. The future development of organic animal husbandry among smallholder organic farmers lies in developing sustainable research based technologies/ solutions to tackle existing and future challenges, investing in infrastructural development as well as improving farmer’s knowledge.
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    Farmer Family Learning Groups for Community Development
    (Organic Denmark Global Organic, 2011-06-18) Vaarst, Mette; Tibasiima, Thaddeo; Nalunga, Jane; Dissing, Aage; Dissing, Inge. Lis
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    Options and challenges for organic milk production in East African smallholder farms under certified organic crop production
    (Livestock Science, 2019) Vaarst, Mette; Smolders, Gidi; Wahome, Raphael; Odhong, Charles; Kiggundu, Muhammad; Kabi, Fred; Nalubwama, Sylvia; Halberg, Niels
    Many East African smallholder farms with certified organic crop production, also rear animals. Although farming systems are mixed, there is often very little integration and synergy between the different enterprises. The aim of this article is to suggest and discuss different development scenarios for organic dairy production, based on data from three East African studies of dairy production at certified organic cash crop farms. The following questions are explored for two categories of ‘model farms’ in Kenya and Uganda, respectively: 1) Can smallholder farmers benefit from keeping organic dairy cattle, and under which conditions can it be viable, given the current challenges? 2) How can the dairy production be integrated into the farm and create synergy with the different farm elements? 3) What would need to change if their milk was to become certified organic and farmers had to comply with organic principles and standards for dairy farming? Based on data and estimates from on-farm case studies at Kenyan and Ugandan smallholder dairy farms, in combination with literature, potential development scenarios are outlined. The study concludes that there are good possibilities for more local recirculation of feed and manure, although with limited benefits when there are only few animals with short lactations on the farm. Involvement of local communities in feed production and use of grazing areas seems to be a good option to the mutual benefit of both. If certified organic smallholder farms should diversify their income through sale of organic milk, they would need a secure market. Depending on the cost of certification, these farms will only benefit from sale of organic milk if they can produce milk year round at a scale, which allow them to benefit from the effort to give animals organic feed, an effort including establishment of grazing and local feed production that comply with organic standards. Outdoor stay and grazing continue to challenge many smallholder milk producers especially with Holstein Friesian types of cows, and more robust breeds are needed. In addition, many smallholders do not have sufficient land to permit grazing around their homesteads, where the animals live. Organic standards regarding animals need improvement and precision, especially requirements for grazing areas and feed. Certification comprising whole farms including the animals, and not only crops for export, will enhance crop-animal integration.