The effects of climate change are being felt all over the world. Smallholder farmers experience the impact of climate change directly and will need adaptation measures to cope with the changes. Climate change is expected to have a significant impact on the livelihoods of smallholders in developing countries. The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that climate change is likely to have a significant effect on agricultural production in many Asian countries and livestock farming is the most affected area in the agriculture sector.
A community level training on livestock management was organized in three districts (Dhading (mountain), Syangja (Midhill) and Kapilvastu (Terai)) based on the results from our extensive study on training needs which was carried out among the smallholder livestock farmers in the Gandaki river basin in Nepal. It was found that farmers adopt traditional way of animal husbandry and are less aware of the current impacts of climate change and its challenges on livestock farming. Due to reasons such as illiteracy and poor government service, farmers are not aware of strategies available to help them adapt to the effects of climate change and improve their livestock management. Most of the farmers are involved in livestock farming only for subsistence and not for commercial enterprise. Three major problems in local livestock farming have been identified: poor nutrition, disease control and reproductive health. A comprehensive capacity building activities were designed to address those issues.
Improved breeds
In this session, the trainers introduced different breeds of cows and buffaloes for increased milk production. Most of the farmers raise local breeds which can only fulfil their household needs. Improved breeds such as Jersey, Holstein (cattle) and Muraah (buffalo) can provide enough milk to allow farmers the option to produce commercially. Most of the participants were not aware of the importance of improved breeds of cattle or buffalo. This session helped participants to learn how improved breeds could increase their income from selling milk and meat.
Improved shelter
Most of the farmers were not informed about the importance of the animals’ shelter in reducing health issues. In this session, trainers described the ideal shelter with practical examples. The following issues were discussed during these sessions:
- Suitable (South facing) site selection for shelter
- Size of the shelter
- Aeration of the shelter
Sanitation and hygiene
Cattles have been infected by many diseases because of lack of proper sanitation. An unmanaged drainage system in shelters and haphazard disposal of dead animals spreads disease among the livestock. Most of the participants usually throw dead animals in open places which has adverse effects on the health of remaining cattle. Participants were trained about the proper shed sanitation practices like burying of dead bodies, using only one pair of shoes in cowshed to reduce contamination.
Nutrition: Importance of forage and pasture
The livestock in these three districts depend upon the grass available in farmer’s fields and open pasture lands. They also feed on agricultural by-products as fodder to their livestock. In this session, participants were made aware about the important role of forage in additional nutrition.
Fodder management: Cultivation and conservation
In the rainy season, there is usually enough green fodder available but much of it is wasted as it decays in the field before it can be used. In winter there is a lack of fodder which ultimately affects the nutritional status of livestock. Researchers have identified that the wet season and regions are becoming wetter while the dry season and regions are becoming dryer. This results in a decrease in forage production and affects the growth of livestock. The fodder of the rainy season should be conserved and used in the dry seasons. In this session, farmers learned about preparing hay and silage through practical demonstrations. This should allow them to make full use of the forage that is produced in the rainy season.
Balanced diet and nutrition
According to practical knowledge and experience, farmers have provided a balanced diet for their livestock for a long time. In this session farmers learned the following:
- Balanced diet helps to run physical process of the body.
- Additional nutrition is required for pregnant livestock for the physical growth of their offspring.
- Locally available materials contain protein such as the legumes stylopsanthess and trifoliumm medicago.
- Agricultural by-products such as residue of legumes can contribute to a balanced diet.
Mineral blocks
Many researchers have identified that livestock in Nepal are suffering from mineral deficiencies. Crop residues are low in nitrogen and therefore less nutritious. Urea molasses mineral block provides protein and minerals to the livestock, thereby increasing livestock growth and production. In this session, the farmers learned about how to make urea molasses mineral blocks and the nutritional benefits of these blocks. Some of the participants showed an interest in mass production of mineral blocks for commercial purposes. One young man in Syangja has started a small business doing this.
Disease control
Due to poor sanitation and hygiene and mal-nutrition, there appears various diseases on livestock which may be accelerated due to complex characteristics of climate change. Farmers have traditional beliefs and treatments for many diseases. Most of the participants reported that they were not able to identify the symptoms of various diseases and could not adopt any preventive measures. According to the participants, diseases like foot and mouth disease (Khoret-local name), Haemorrphagic septicaemia (Bhyagute), black quarter (Charchare), Anthrax (Patke), Mastitis (Thunilo), retention of placenta, sterility or infertility are seen in those districts. In this session trainers described how the diseases affect the livestock, identification of the diseases through their symptoms and described primary treatments that can be done at the household level.
Training Statics
No. of Female participants: 51
No. of Male participants: 36
No. of Trainers: 4
No. of Session: 14
No. of Training days: 9
Participant’s views
“This type of training related to smallholder livestock farmers is really helpful for gaining knowledge and important information about livestock farming. We are happy to apply the knowledge which we gain from this training and we hope that it will also be helpful for our future also.” – Mr. Krishna Pokherel, Jayanagar, Kapilvastu
“We learned that we are able to do ourselves many things on agriculture. We also learnt that we can make money for our family from livestock farming using our knowledge which we gain from this training.” – Ms. Durga Kharal ,Tindobate, Syangja
“In this animal management training for climate change adaptation, there are many things which we learned and which we can apply on our work. We feel very fortunate to have such programs in our district. We are encouraged to start commercial farming from this training.” – Mr. Janak Adhikari, Tindobate, Syangja
“Two buffaloes were died last year due to an undiagnosed disease, but I had no idea of livestock insurance. Now, I will immediately insure my livestock and minimize the risk of damage. It is good to know that the government of Nepal is subsidizing 75% of the premium.” – Ms. Bhawani Khatiwoda, Baireni, Dhading.
