PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON THE DEVELOPM ENT OF INNOVATIVE SITE-SPECIFIC INTEGRATED ANIMAL HEALTH PACKAGES FOR THE RURAL POOR

There is evidence that livestock contribute to the livelihoods of approximately 70% of the World’s poor and represent a crucial component of any strategy aimed at improving food security and reduce poverty. The demographic booming of the human population in the poor areas of the Plan et lifts up the problem of food production, its access and distribution. Particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), data indicate that by 2025 the population will increase by nearly 800 million of new individuals, of which 55% will live in towns. The impressive demographic growth in developing countries (in some cases even +4% year) requires an overall increase of food production to assure the livelihood of human population. Some data (UNCHS, 1996) indicate that by 2030 the global urban population will reach 4.9 billion, and most of this increase will be in cities of the so-called developing countries. This is due to migration from rural to urban areas and rural settlements being incorporated into urban areas The quick urbanization not accompanied by a reasonable and equitable economic growth has led to urban poverty and food insecurity. The agricultural development has been focused on rural areas to improve food production to supply the growing urban population. Recently, more focus is given to urban and peri-urban livestock production UPUL) systems and peri-urban agriculture (PUA) directed towards the urban demand. In 1999, FAO estimated that 800 million urban residents worldwide were engaged in PUA. Generally the status of PUA and UPUL has changed from illegal to tolerated activities and to “new development strategy”, although most resources are devoted to PUA rather than UPUL. Nevertheless, despite the scarce attention, PUA and UPUL have shown a continuous development, driven by the growing demand. Virtually all species can be bred within PUA and UPUL system: from large (cattle, water buffaloes) to small ruminants (sheep and goats), monogastric (poultry, pigs, rabbits) and unconventional or mini-livestock (agouti, guinea pigs). The problem could be tackled by enhancing food production through the integration and the intensification of small scale agriculture-livestock production systems in urban and peri-urban areas. To make the system productive and sustainable, it should stand on four main pillars: i) animal feed supply integrated with the available local agro-industries; ii) raise livestock species to meet local preferences and needs of the inhabitants; iii) assure timely, balanced and continuous production, iv) improve animal health and ensure the adoption of bio-safety measures. PUA and UPUL system has strengths and weaknesses: the most relevant strengths are represented by the proximity of the production sites to market areas which contribute to reduce transport costs, thus generating competitive prices. Moreover, raising livestock in urban and peri-urban areas offers the opportunity to re-use household waste, agro-industrial by-products residues from local food-markets and small-scale urban farmers. PUA and UPUL can contribute to enhance social security of vulnerable social groups of poor, e.g. female headed households, children, old people. In addition, PUA and UPUL can contribute to enhance the social security by contributing to retirement plans or sustain convertible assets to cover important expenditures such as school fees, health treatments etc.. On the other hand, breeding animals close to human settlements/agglomerations may generate the problem of feed competition and availability. Particularly when high quantities of feed is required for large livestock species such as cattle, which are usually zero-grazed. Limited feed availability also generates high labor input to seek for feed resources. Breeding in urban areas forces to apply specific management practices often unknown to many farmers, who usually tend to replicate traditional management schemes, not adapted to urban and peri-urban conditions. Ultimately an insufficient networking compared to rural areas and a lack of extension and provision services not tailored to urban and peri-urban circumstances represent undoubtedly a further weak point.