Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Livestock Farming Systems and Agroecology in the Tropics

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 14

Part of the book series: Sustainable Agriculture Reviews ((SARV,volume 14))

Abstract

The climate change crisis is inducing severe energy and food shortages in tropical regions. A potential solution is to build agroecological systems as an alternative to intensive and industrial agriculture. For that research should focus on the functions of animal and livestock farming systems. Positive and negative function effects should be assessed. This is particularly important in developing countries where most of tomorrow’s food and feed will have to be produced. What are the main issues for animal production in the tropics? The major challenges are how to redesign productivity and food security, economic efficiency and environmental preservation, and how to integrate economy and environment. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to address such complex problems, where interactions among interdependent components of the system result in multicausality.

The concept of livestock farming system, with its double consistency of social and biophysical dimensions, can help address complex problems. The concepts of livestock farming system and of agroecology can be easily combined to design sustainable animal production systems. Enhancing agroecological approaches that lead to both food security and biodiversity conservation must involve spreading concepts through practices, particularly to solve the problems of small farmers. As so, the purpose of the paper is to highlight many case studies. The animal and farming system ecoservices are described at the animal level with the case of the multifunctional tropical goat and also at the territory level with the case of agrosylvopastoralism focusing the role played by the animal. Finally, the socio-cultural functions of animals or systems in this region are described. The double dimension of livestock system concept allows the integration of the livestock keepers in the human and societal context to attain agroecological objectives which is recognised as a core objective to attain according through the agroecological perspective. Topical livestock farming systems can show their potential to reach sustainability and help family economy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahrens DC, Pellini T, Santoro PH (2009) Agroecology at IAPAR: summaries of research projects and published works from 2004 to 2009. Ahrens DC, Pellini T, Santoro PH (eds). Instituto Agronomico do Parana (IAPAR), Londrina

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexandre G, Mandonnet N (2005) Goat meat production in harsh environments. Small Rumin Res 60:53–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexandre G, Mandonnet N (2012) Questioning the resilience of goat production in the Tropics at different levels from the animal to the whole farming system. In: 21st international conference on goats. 153, Gran Canaria, Spain, 23–27 September 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexandre G, Larade A, Arrigue A, Anselme M, Archimède H (2002) Contributions of livestock rearing and products to the sustainable development plan of the Leeward side of Guadeloupe. In: 19th general meeting of European Grassland Federation, La Rochelle, France, 27–30 May 2002. EGF 2002/AFPF INRA, Versailles, pp 1004–1005

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexandre G, Asselin deBeauville S, Shitalou E, Zébus MF (2008) An overview of the goat meat sector in Guadeloupe: conditions of production, consumer preferences, cultural functions and economic implications. Livest Res Rural Dev 20. http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd20/1/alex20014.htm

  • Alexandre G, Arquet R, Fleury J, Troupe W, Boval M, Archimede H, Mahieu M, Mandonnet N (2012) Systèmes d’élevage caprins en zone tropicale: analyse des fonctions et des performances. INRA Prod Anim 25:305–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexandre G, Facthum-Sainton J, Angeon V (2013a) Tradition and innovation in Caribbean LFS: old rhum in new barrels. In: 64th annual meeting of the Animal Science, Nantes, France, 26–30 August 2013, Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen, p 281

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexandre G, Garcia G, Janini-Eyma D, Rodriguez L, Stark F, Angeon V (2013b) Pour une approche globale et intégrée de recherche-formation-action dans les systèmes d’élevage tropicaux. L’exemple de quatre expériences dans le bassin Caraïbe. In: Angeon V, Lardon S, LeBlanc P (eds) Compétences, formation et apprentissage collectif territorial, (in press) L’Harmattan

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexandre G, Rodriguez L, Garcia-Arece J, Delgadillo J, Garcia G, Habermeier K, Fanchone A, Gourdine JL, Mahieu M, Archimède H (2013c) Agroecological practices to sustain tropical livestock farming system: a Caribbean perspective. Trop Anim Health Prod (in progress)

    Google Scholar 

  • Altieri MA (2002) Agroecology: the science of natural resource management for poor farmers in marginal environments. Agric Ecosyst Environ 9:1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Altieri MA, Toledo MV (2011) The agroecological revolution in Latin America: rescuing nature, ensuring food sovereignty and empowering peasants. J Peasant Stud 38:587–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Altieri MA, Funes-Monzote FR, Petersen P (2012) Agroecologically efficient agricultural systems for smallholder farmers: contributions to food sovereignty. Agron Sustain Dev 32:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angeon V, Sainton J, Alexandre G (2010) Representations of breeders about local breeds in the livestock farming system of the French West Indies: between rejection and appropriation of Creole goat. Adv Anim Biosci 1:489–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archimède H, Bastianelli D, Boval M, Tran G, Sauvant D (2011) Ressources tropicales : disponibilité et valeur alimentaire. INRA Prod Anim 24:23–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchmann C (2009) Cuban home gardens and their role in social–ecological resilience. Hum Ecol 37:705–721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buttel FH (2003) Envisioning the future development of farming in the USA: agroecology between extinction and multifunctionality? New Dir Agroecol Res Educ 1–14. www.agroecology.wisc.edu/downloads/buttel.pdf. Accessed Oct 2012

  • Chappell MJ, LaValle LA (2011) Food security and biodiversity: can we have both? An agroecological analysis. Agric Hum Value 26:3–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cubbage F, Balmelli G, Bussoni A, Noellemeyer E, Pachas AN, Fassola H, Colcombet L, Rossner B, Frey G, Dube F, de Silva ML, Stevenson H, Hamilton J, Hubbard W (2012) Comparing silvopastoral systems and prospects in eight regions of the world. Agroforest Syst 86:303–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Figueiredo EAP (2002) Livestock and agroecology in Brazil. Cadernos de Ciencia and Technologia 19:235–265

    Google Scholar 

  • De Schutter O (2011) Agroecology and the right to food. 16th Session of the United Nation, Human Rights Council 5A/HRC/16/49). http://www.agroecology.be/img/download/De_Schutter_2011_agroecology_and_food_right.pdf. Accessed Oct 2012

  • de Wit J, Oldenbroek PJK, van Keulen H, Zwart D (1995) Criteria for sustainable livestock production: a proposal for implementation. Agric Ecosyst Environ 53:219–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dedieu B, Faverdin P, Dourmad JY, Gibon A (2008) Système d’élevage, un concept pour raisonner les transformations de l’élevage. INRA Prod Anim 21:45–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Dedieu B, Aubin J, Duteurtre G, Alexandre G, Vayssières J, Bommel P, Faye B (2011) Conception et évaluation de systèmes d’élevage durables en régions chaudes à l’échelle de l’exploitation. INRA Prod Anim 24:113–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Devendra C (2007) Perspectives on animal production systems in Asia. Livest Sci 106:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doré T, Makowski D, Malézieux E, Munier-Jolain N, Tchamitchian M, Tittonel P (2011) Facing up to the paradigm of ecological intensification in agronomy: revisiting methods, concepts and knowledge. Eur J Agronomy 34:197–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumont B, Fortun-Lamothe L, Jouven M, Thomas M, Tichit M (2013) Prospects from agroecology and industrial ecology for animal production in the 21st century. Animal 1028–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Ericksen PJ (2008) Conceptualizing food systems for global environmental change research. Global Environ Change 18:234–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fanchone A, Stark F, Alexandre G, Diman JL, Gourdine JL, Ozier-Lafontaine H, Sierra J, Tournebize T, Archimède H (2013) The use of agroecological concepts to design integrated crop-livestock systems: the case of the French West Indies. In: 64th annual meeting of the Animal Science, Nantes, France, 26–30 August 2013, Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen, p 161

    Google Scholar 

  • Faye B, Alexandre G, Bonnet P, Boutonnet JP, Cardinale E, Duteurtre G, Loiseau G, Montet D, Mourot J, Regina F (2011) Elevage et qualité des produits en régions chaudes. INRA Prod Anim 24:77–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Francis C, Lieblein G, Gliessman S, Breland TA, Creamer N, Harwood R, Salomonsson L, Helenieus J, Rickerl D, Salvador R, Wiedenhoeft M, Simmons S, Allen P, Altieri M, Flora C, Poincelot R (2003) Agroecology: the ecology of food systems. J Sust Agric 22:99–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Funes-Monzote F, Monzote M (2001) Integrated agroecological systems as a way forward for Cuban agriculture. Livest Res Rural Dev (13) 1 2001/http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd13/1/fune131.htm

  • Gerber P, Steinfeld H (2008) Global environmental consequences of the livestock sector’s growth. Outlook Agric 37:7–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibon A, Sibbald AR, Flamant JC, Lhoste P, Revilla R, Rubino R, Sørensen JT (1999) Livestock farming systems research in Europe and its potential contribution for managing towards sustainability in livestock farming. Lives Prod Sci 61:121–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gliessman SR (2006) Animals in agroecosystems. In: Agroecology: the ecology of sustainable food systems. CRC Press Taylor & Francis group, Boca Raton, pp 269–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Godfray CHJ, Beddington JR, Crute IR, Haddad L, Lawrence D, Muir JF, Pretty J, Robinson S, Thomas SM, Toulmin C (2010) Food Security: the challenge of feeding 9 billion people. Science 327:812–818

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • González-García E, Gourdine JL, Alexandre G, Archimède H, Vaarst M (2012) The complex nature of mixed farming systems requires multidimensional actions supported by integrative research and development efforts. Animal 6:763–777

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg R, Perfecto I, Philpott SM (2008) Agroforests as model systems for tropical ecology. Ecology 89:913–914

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gunia M, Mandonnet N, Arquet R, Alexandre G, Gourdine JL, Naves M, Angeon V, Phocas F (2013) Economic values of body weight, reproduction and parasite resistance traits for a Creole goat breeding goal. Animal 7:22–33

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hellstrand S, Skanberg K, Drake L (2009) The relevance of ecological and economic policies for sustainable development. Environ Dev Sust 11:853–870

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrero M, Thornton PK, Notenbaert AM, Wood S, Msangi S, Freeman HA, Bossio D, Dixon J, Peters M, van de Steeg J, Lynam J, Parthasarathy Rao P, Macmillan S, Gerard B, McDermott J, Seré C, Rosegrant M (2010) Smart investments in sustainable food production: revisiting mixed crop-livestock systems. Science 327:822–825

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann I (2010) Climate change and the characterization, breeding and conservation of animal genetic resources. Anim Genet 41:32–46

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holling CS (2001) Understanding the complexity of economic, ecological, and social systems. Ecosystems 4:390–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IAASTD-UNESCO (2008) Évaluation internationale des connaissances, des sciences et des technologies agricoles pour le développement (IAASTD). http://www.agassessment.org/French.pdf

  • Jackson LE, Pulleman MM, Brussaard L, Bawa KS, Brown GG, Cardoso IM, de Ruiter PC, Garcı´a-Barrios L, Hollander AD, Lavelle P, Oue´draogo E, Pascual U, Setty S, Smukler SM, Tscharntke T, Van Noordwij M (2012) Social-ecological and regional adaptation of agrobiodiversity management across a global set of research regions. Global Environ Change 22:623–639

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janzen HH (2011) What place for livestock on a re-greening earth? Anim Feed Sci Technol 166–67:783–796

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keating BA, McCown RL (2001) Advances in farming systems analysis and intervention. Agric Syst 70:555–579

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lhoste P, Dollé V, Rousseau J, Soltner D (1993) Zootechnie des régions chaudes. Les systèmes d’élevage. Ministère de la Coopération-CIRAD, Paris. Manuels et précis d’élevage

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynam J (2002) Book review. A history of farming systems research: edited by M. Collinson, CABI Publishing, Wallingford, 2000. Agric Syst 73:227–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahgoub O, Kadim IT, Webb EC (2012) Goat Meat Production and Quality. CABI, Wallingford, United Kingdom, 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahieu M, Arquet R, Fleury J, Coppry O, Marie-Magdeleine C, Boval M, Archimède H, Alexandre G, Bambou JC, Mandonnet N (2009) Contrôle intégré du parasitisme gastro-intestinal des petits ruminants en zone tropicale humide. In: 16ème Rencontres Recherches Ruminants. INRA – Institut de l’Elevage, Paris, pp 265–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Malézieux E (2012) Designing cropping systems from nature. Agron Sustain Dev 32:15–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malézieux E, Crozat Y, Dupraz C, Laurans M, Makowski D, Ozier-Lafontaine H, Rapidel B, de Tourdonnet S, Valantin-Morison M (2009) Mixing plant species in cropping systems: concepts, tools and models. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 29:43–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDermott JJ, Staal SJ, Freeman HA, Herrero M, Van de Steeg JA (2010) Sustaining intensification of smallholder livestock systems in the tropics. Livest Sci 13:95–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MEA (2005) Millennium ecosystem assessment. Ecosystem and human well-being: synthesis. Island Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Morand-Fehr P (2012) Prospectives sur l’élevage caprin. INRA Prod Anim 25:1–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Naves M, Alexandre G, Leimbacher F, Mandonnet N, Menendez-Buxadera A (2000) Le point sur les programmes de gestion des ressources génétiques chez les espèces de ruminants dans la Caraïbe. INRA Prod Anim 14:182–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Naylor RL, Steinfeld H, Falcon W, Galloway J, Smill V, Bradford E, Alder J, Mooney H (2005) Agriculture: losing the links between livestock and land. Science 310(5754):621–1622

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson E, Scott S, Cukier J, Galan AL (2009) Institutionalizing agroecology: successes and challenges in Cuba. Agric Hum Value 26:233–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peacock C (2005) Goats – a pathway out of poverty. Small Rumin Res 60:179–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perfecto I, Vandermeer J (2008) Biodiversity conservation in tropical agroecosystems. Ann NY Acad Sci 1134:173–200

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Preston TR, Leng RA (1987) Matching ruminant production systems with available resources in the tropics and sub-tropics. CTA, Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigby D, Caceres D (2001) Organic farming and the sustainability of agricultural systems. Agric Syst 68:21–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez L (2010) Integrated farming systems for food and energy in a warming, resource-declining World. Thesis of Humboldt University, Berlin towards the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

    Google Scholar 

  • Seré C, Steifeld H (1996) World livestock production systems. Current status, issues and trends. FAO Prod Health Paper 127

    Google Scholar 

  • Silanikove N, Leitner G, Merin U, Prosser CG (2010) Recent advances in exploiting goat’s milk: quality, safety and production aspects. Small Rum Res 89:110–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon B (2011) Le pain des Tropiques Production arc-en-ciel-prod et Ouest-France. http://www.film-documentaire.fr/Pain-tropiques.html,film,36689

  • SOCLA (Latin American scientific society for agroecology) (2011) Ecologically efficient agricultural systems for smallholder farmers. Farmers. http://www.srfood.org/index.php/en/component/content/article/1174-report-agroecology-and-the-right-to-food

  • Stark F, Diman JL, Fanchone A, Alexandre R, Alexandre G, Archimède H (2012) Characterization of mixed farming systems and crop-livestock integration in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). In: 2nd international symposium on integrated crop-livestock, 8–12 October 2012, Porto-Alegre Brazil

    Google Scholar 

  • Stassart PM, Baret P, Grégoire JC, Hance T, Mormont M, Reheul D, Stilmant D, Vanloqueren G, Visser M (2012) L’agroécologie: trajectoire et potentiel. Pour une transition vers des systèmes alimentaires durables. In: Van Dam D, Stassart PM, Nizet J, Streith M (eds) Agroécologie entre pratiques et sciences sociales, Copyright Educagri édition, Educagri éditions, Dijon, pp 5–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinfeld HP, Gerber T, Wassenaar V, Castel MR, de Haan C (2006) Livestock’s long shadow. Environmental issues and options. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoorvogel JJ, Antle JM, Crissman CC, Bowen W (2004) The tradeoff analysis model: integrated bio-physical and economic modeling of agricultural production systems. Agric Syst 80:43–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tichit M, Puillet L, Sabatier R, Teillard F (2011) Multicriteria performance and sustainability in livestock farming systems: functional diversity matters. Livest Sci 139:161–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomich TP, Brodt S, Ferris H, Galt R, Horwath WR, Kebreab E, Leveau J, Liptzin D, Lubell M, Merel P, Michelmore R, Rosenstock T, Scow K, Six J, Williams N, Yang L (2011) Agroecology: a review from a global-change perspective. Annu Rev Environ Res 36:193–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Udo HMJ, Aklilu HA, Phong LT, Bosma RH, Budisatria IGS, Patil BR, Samdup T, Bebe BO (2011) Impact of intensification of different types of livestock production in smallholder crop-livestock systems. Livest Sci 139:22–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Via Campesina (2010) Sustainable peasant and family farm agriculture can feed the World. Via Campesina Views Jakarta,

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb EC, O’Neill HA (2008) The animal fat paradox and meat quality. Meat Sci 80:28–36

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wezel A, Bellon S, Dore T, Francis C, Vallod D, David C (2009) Agroecology as a science, a movement and a practice. A review. Agron Sust Dev 29:503–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson TR (2009) Fit for purpose – the right animal in the right place. Trop Anim Health Prod 41:1081–1090

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wirsenius S, Azar C, Berndes G (2010) How much land is needed for global food production under scenarios of dietary changes and livestock productivity increases in 2030? Agric Syst 103:621–638

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all colleagues of Animal Research Unit of INRA Guadeloupe for their discussions. They are grateful to chief editor for advices. Studies were sponsored by Region Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. INRA, UR143, Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe

    Gisèle Alexandre & Audrey Fanchone

  2. INRA, UR1321, ASTRO Agrosystèmes Tropicaux, F-97170, Petit-Bourg, France

    Jean-Louis Diman

  3. UR1321, Unité de Recherches sur les Agrosystèmes Tropicaux, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe

    Harry Ozier-Lafontaine

Authors
  1. Gisèle Alexandre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Audrey Fanchone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Harry Ozier-Lafontaine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jean-Louis Diman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gisèle Alexandre .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. UR1321, ASTRO Agrosystèmes Tropicaux, INRA, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, France

    Harry Ozier-Lafontaine

  2. HortSysResearch Unit Caribbean Agroenvironmental Campus, CIRAD, Le Lamentin, Martinique, France

    Magalie Lesueur-Jannoyer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Alexandre, G., Fanchone, A., Ozier-Lafontaine, H., Diman, JL. (2014). Livestock Farming Systems and Agroecology in the Tropics. In: Ozier-Lafontaine, H., Lesueur-Jannoyer, M. (eds) Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 14. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, vol 14. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06016-3_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation