Not less but more livestock for sustainability in southern Mali! A modelling study of the balance between soil organic matter, livestock, crop residues and leys

摘要

The continuation of traditional farming techniques in southern Mali will lead to an ecological disaster in the near future. Commonly, development agents say the grazing pressure is too high and propose a reduction of livestock herds. But the restitution of organic matter (OM) through livestock manure and the roots of leys can reduce soil mining. It is hypothezed that an increase in animal density will lead to improve sustainability and that intensive crop residue use is crucial (Bosma et al, 1993, International conference : Elevage et cycle viable des elements nutritifs dans les systemes mixtes agriculture-elevage de I'Afrique sub-saharienne, CIPEA/ILCA, Addis Abeba, 17).