Improving pig production systems in the Integrated Upland Agricultural Research Project target area-Pak Ou district, Luang Prabang province, Lao PDR

摘要

For livestock production systems to be successful, a holistic approach covering the five principles of livestock management is necessary. This requires time. The 9-month input from the livestock management systems (LMS) consultant is too short a duration to develop 'best practice' in IUARP farmer livestock systems. However, many significant improvements have been made. There is now a better appreciation of disease, its consequence and the steps needed to provide a safe, healthy animal environment. Production levels have the potential to increase significantly with improved housing and water supplies, and breeding and selection strategies. The use of introduced high-quality feed supplements remains an area of underdevelopment, but the proposed interventions of the new CIAT 'Legume for Pigs Project' (L4PP) in a number of villages in the IUARP target area will address this issue. This project will focus on nutritional aspects not addressed by the LMS program. The improved management regimes resulting from the CIAT LMS should mean that improved feeding will have a rapid and significant benefit, with farmers involved directly with the L4PP, and should spread easily to other farmers in IUARP villages where the LMS program was implemented.