peer reviewed | A survey on the production characteristics of guinea fowl (Meleagris numida) was carried out in the Borgou department located in the soudano-guinean zone North-Est of Benin. Chicks and reproductive groups were kept either on station under improved management conditions or in rural environment. In rural environment, the birds were divided in two groups. The birds pertaining to the first group were treated against parasitic diseases, whereas those in the second one (control group) received no treatment. Under station conditions, the feed conversion ratio and the daily weight gain were 8.8 and 5.7 g/day respectively. Mean body weight at six months of age were 1151g and 1085g for males and females, respectively. Sexual maturity was reached at 36 weeks of age. For mature hens kept on station, laying rate and the mean egg weight were 37.2% (65% at the peak) and 41.1g respectively. Smothering, stress and pricking were the major constraints to the cloistering of guinea fowl. In rural environment, the mean hatchability rate was 70%. Mortality rate and adult body weight were not significantly different between groups. Mortality rate observed in the rural environment was 50% for both treated or untreated birds. Apart from the parasitic affections, the main causes of mortality were the rain, the predators, the cold and the fragility of chicks. The mean body weight at six months of age is higher for the birds raised under village conditions in comparison to the birds kept on station.

We are pleased to present the Proceedings of the 9th International Scientific Conference “Rural Development 2019: Research and Innovation for Bioeconomy”. The Conference took place in Academia, Kaunas district, Lithuania at the Vytautas Magnus University, 26–28 September, 2019. The 9th International Scientific Conference “Rural Development 2019” was the most effective bi-annual platform for the interdisciplinary scientific discussions and the presentations of new ideas for Sustainable Rural Development in the context of research and innovation for Bioeconomy. The Conference brings together scientists, practitioners, policy makers and actors from private sector around the world to share their experience helping countries to provide their citizens with a more competitive economy, more and better jobs and a better quality of life. The topic of the Conference has allowed for the exploration of different aspects of four main areas: Agro-innovations and Food Technologies Biosystems Engineering and Environment Integrity Multifunctional Approach for Sustainable Use of Bio-Resources Social Innovations for Rural Development The topic “Research and Innovation for Bioeconomy” chosen for the 9th International Scientific Conference sparked strong interest among the professional and scientific community and elicited great response to the call for papers. The Proceedings include 86 peer-reviewed papers and contributions from 283 authors. In total we received 106 submissions for the Conference. A selection of papers are available in this volume. The majority of the contributed papers are included as are selected papers from the discussions sessions.and have been peer reviewed by two experts. We want to thank Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture, and Research Council of Lithuania for the generous financial support that made the Conference possible.   2019, December 28

International audience | The existing Andean dairy production patterns are scarcely known and yet they play a major role in the household food security of many families. This study examines the consistency of forage management through the monitoring of 8 dairy farmers of a community living in the harsh conditions of the dry Peruvian Andes and the analysis of their production practices. The Sinto farmers are able to produce milk throughout the year despite the very dry climatic conditions by adjusting cattle groups, grazing rotationaly on irrigated alfalfa fields, farming large rangelands zones and exchanging standing forage with other farmers. Although the milk production per cow is low, the milk yield per hectare of alfalfa field is relatively high. This can be interpreted both as an optimisation of the system with regards to the restrictive factor which is the irrigated land and as a risk management, two components that may be considered to evaluate the sustainability of these livestock farming systems and to propose development options.

Notice a Reprendre pas de Clé UT au 5 Mai 2017 | 85 Algerian white population rabbits were used to study the effect on the growth performances of fig-tree (Ficus carica, 12.8%, 30.6% and 15 % DM respectively of CP, NDF and ADL) leaves incorporated in pelleted diets in association with Sulla hay (Hedysarum flexuosum). At weaning (35 d, 674±390 g), the rabbits were divided in three groups (individually caged) and received ad libitum one of the three diets during six weeks. The control (T, n=25), diet was classic diet and content barley, dehydrated alfalfa, soya bean meal and wheat bran. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 25% of Sulla hay and either 15% (F1, n =30) or 30% (F2, n =30) dried fig tree leaves in total replacement of dehydrated alfalfa and barley. The diet F1 contained also wheat bran to contain only raw materials available locally. During the whole period (35-77 d), feed intake was at the same level with the three diets (121.3 ± 6.5 g/d), as well as growth (35.3 ± 2.4g/d) and feed conversion ratio (3.37 ± 0.21). According, fig-tree leaves (Ficus carica) could be incorporated in pellet diet for fattening rabbits associated with Sulla ( Hedysarum flexuosum), in total replacement of barley, dehydrated alfalfa and eventually soya bean meal to contain only locally available raw materials. They permitted substantial performances as those of control diet without negative effect on health and the zootechnic performances. | 85 lapins de population locale blanche ont été utilisés pour étudier l’effet sur les performances de croissance de l’incorporation, dans l’aliment granulé, de feuilles de Figuier (Ficus carica ; 12,8% ; 30,6% et 15 % MS respectivement de PB, NDF et ADL) associées au foin de Sulla (Hedysarum flexuosum). Au sevrage (35 j, 674±390 g), les lapins ont été répartis en trois lots homogènes, logés individuellement et ont reçu ad libitum un des trois aliments durant 6 semaines. Le témoin (T, n=25), un aliment classique, contenait de la luzerne déshydratée, du son de blé, de l’orge et du tourteau de soja. Les deux aliments expérimentaux contenaient 25% de foin de Sulla et soit 15% (F1, n =30) soit 30% (F2, n =30) de feuilles séchées de Figuier (FF), en remplacement total de la luzerne et de l’orge. L’aliment F1, équilibré avec du son de blé, ne contenait que des matières premières disponibles localement.Durant la période globale (35-77 j), la consommation a été similaire entre les trois aliments (121 ± 6,5g/j), ainsi que la vitesse de croissance (35,3 ± 2,4g/j) et l'indice de consommation de l’aliment (3,37 ± 0,21). Ainsi, les feuilles de Figuier (Ficus carica) peuvent être incorporées dans l’aliment granulé pour lapins en engraissement associées à du foin de Sulla (Hedysarum flexuosum), en remplacement de l’orge, de la luzerne déshydratée et éventuellement du tourteau de soja pour ne contenir que des matières premières disponibles localement. Elles ont permis des performances appréciables au même niveau que celles de l’aliment témoin sans effets négatifs sur la santé et les performances zootechniques.

The desire to reduce food insecurity and poverty in developing countries is the essential justification to take into consideration rural agro-pastoral activities. Thus this paper proposes a typological study of sedentary farmers in the semi-arid zone of Cameroon which was conducted between January and May 2014. 400 sedentary farmers were surveyed in four cities including Mindif, Doukoula, Koza and Maroua.Descriptive statistics helped to highlight that 100% of sedentary farmers practice agriculture. The fattening of ruminants is an activity that increasingly recruits sedentary farmers. This applies to Mindif where virtually all farmers practice sedentary fattening of ruminants. The factor analysis revealed two main components of variables characterizing the sedentaryfarmers. The extensive sedentary farming group is made up of 66% of producers in the area. The extensive sedentary farming group is made up of 66% of producers in the area. In the group of semi-intensive sedentary farmers, producers are increasingly farming a real business. This group could be a base for the development of animal production of second generation. | Pour réduire l’insécurité alimentaire et la pauvreté dans les pays en voie de développement une analyse des activités agropastorales en milieu rural est nécessaire. La typologie est à la base de cette analyse. Ainsi une étude typologique des élevages sédentaires en zone semi-aride du Cameroun a été menée entre janvier et mai 2014. Pour cela, 400 éleveurs sédentaires ont été enquêtés dans 4 communes dont celles de Mindif, Doukoula, Koza et la communauté de Maroua.Les statistiques descriptives ont montré que 100% des éleveurs sédentaires pratiquent l’agriculture. L’engraissement des ruminants est une activité qui recrute de plus en plus les éleveurs sédentaires. C’est le cas à Mindif où la quasi-totalité des éleveurs sédentaires pratique l’embouche des ruminants. L’analyse factorielle fait ressortir deux composantes principales des variables caractérisant les éleveurs étudiés. La classification two-step a été utilisée à et effet. Le groupe des élevages sédentaires extensifs englobe 66% des producteurs de la zone. Dans le groupe des élevages sédentaires semi-intensifs les producteurs font de plus en plus de l’élevage unvéritable business. Ce groupe pourrait constituer un socle pour le développement des productions animales de deuxième génération.

International audience | A silvopastoral grazing system (SP) was compared with confinement (CF) to determine the growth and general performance of weaned Pelibuey lambs under experimental conditions. Animals were from the Experiment Station “Indio Hatuey” flock of Matanzas, Cuba. The trial began with weaning in March and April at 4 months after lambing, with the lambs weighing around 13 kg, and lasted for 125 days. After being drenched with Levamisol, 25 lambs were grown on the SP with 18 to 21 lambs/ha, and 25 lambs were grown in CF. A rustic shed was used for CF with 1.5 to 1.8 m2 per animal. The CF lambs were fed cut and carried chopped forage (60% Pennisetum purpureum, 40% Morus alba), and dehydrated citrus pulp at 0.8 to 1.0 kg/lamb per day was offered as supplement in both treatments. The nutritive value of the woody forage species established in both systems was determined with the French expression system. Data were analyzed by Proc Mixed procedure of SAS. For the whole experimental period differences (P< 0.001) were obtained for average daily gain and incidence of gastrointestinal parasitism, mainly from Haemonchus contortus (2117 vs. 144 EPG of faeces) for SP and CF feeding systems, respectively. Lambs from CF (88.5 vs. 48.2 g/d) and males (77.8 vs. 58.9 g/d) exceeded SP and females in daily weight gains. Morbidity rate was explicitly higher in SP, and consequently, the survival level was better under CF experimental conditions (8% mortality in SP vs. 0% in CF). Advantages of the CF feeding system were mainly related to the reduced helminthiasis, which influences feed intake and efficiency, morbidity, growth rate, and survival rate as well. Under the particular conditions of this experiment, these results suggest that CF of lambs, adopting integrative approach with rational use of natural and local resources, can be a good alternative for improving the growth and welfare of growing lambs in the tropics.

International audience | Reproductive performances of the Creole goat, the meat breed of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, are described from a database generated for 15 years (1973 to 1988) at an experimental farm of the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA, Guadeloupe, French West Indies). The data contain information on 599 females, 2259 attempted matings, 2135 achieved matings and 1904 kiddings. Animals were reared under semi-intensive management conditions (on the basis of feeding system, health and culling policy). Main sources of variation were analysed: mating type (buck in permanence or buck effect), mating season (dry, intermediate and humid season) and rank of kidding. The Creole goat is a continuous breeder. On average 94.5 percent of exposed females were mated (defined as mating rate) and 90.5 percent of exposed females achieved a kidding (fertility rate). Their prolificacy reached 1.98 kids/kidding, with only 3.9 percent of kids born dead. These reproductive parameters varied essentially with rank of kidding but very poorly with the mating season. Productivity of these females was regularly high during their whole lifetime production. From the results obtained, it is concluded that Creole goats have very high reproductive performances, provided that animal husbandry and nutrition are adequate.

Article #83 | absent

A study was conducted to determine the productivity and management of indigenous chickens of Kumi district in Eastern Uganda. Eighty households were randomly selected to respond to a standard questionnaire. The average flock size per household was three cocks, six hens and four chicks. Sexual maturity is attained at 5.5 and 6.5 months among male and female chickens respectively, with age at first egg ranging between 5.5-7 months. Egg hatchability varied widely between farmers with an overall mean of 90%. Clutch sizes ranged between 4-19 eggs per clutch, with a mean of 13 eggs. Chickens were acquired through purchase (65.6%), gifts (26.3%), or in exchange for labour. Scavenging was the major feeding system, seasonally supplemented with cereal grain. The majority of the farmers (87.5%) provided birds with drinking water. Death of chicks was prevalent (73%) and was mainly attributed to Newcastle disease (70%), with most of the mortality being observed during the dry season (62%). Survival of chickens was significantly affected (P<0.001) by feeding level, and strongly correlated (r = 0.83) with the housing system. Housing and feeding had significant effects on duration between laying cycles (P<0.001), how chickens were acquired (P<0.01), and the uses to which the chickens were put (P<0.001). Chickens and eggs are mainly used to generate household income and for home consumption. In some households, chickens are exchanged for goats and subsequently, for cattle. Our findings indicate that the indigenous chicken is a major resource in Teso, Uganda. The performance of these indigenous chickens would significantly improve with better feeding, housing and health management. Chicken farmers should be empowered through training and provision of capital credit, the latter of which should be well informed by data on the chicken production cycle.

A study was conducted to determine the factors influencing the supply of live indigenous (local) chickens in Kampala city markets in December 2008. A total of fifty local chicken traders were randomly selected from five markets to respond to a structured questionnaire. Chicken trade was generally informal. Local chickens were mainly marketed alive in Kampala markets and the main customers were piecemeal consumers. The majority of the traders (52.9%) obtained local chickens from Eastern Uganda. Chickens were transported to markets in passenger vehicles, on motorcycles and on lorry trucks that were carrying cattle and other agricultural produce. This mode of transport sometimes caused injuries and bird mortality. Fifty percent of the traders obtained the chickens from middlemen while 46% of the traders personally bought the birds from rural farm households. Chicken trade was the major source of household income to 72.7% of the chicken traders and many of the traders had secondary sources of income. During peak seasons, the traders could sell an average of 120 birds per week per person. Local chicken marketing involved traders of varying levels of education (with a mean of 9.5 years of formal education). The number of local chickens traded per week was positively correlated (P<0.01) with the level of education of the traders. The demand for these chickens was highest in the festive months of December and April; and lowest in February and March. The cost of local chickens was more than twice as much as that of exotic chickens. Most traders (56.7%) perceived taste to be the basis for consumers’ preferential demand for local chickens in preference to exotic chickens. The major constraints in the marketing of local chickens in Kampala city markets were identified as high mortality rates/chicken diseases (43.5%), costly transport (22.4%), and irregular demand (15.3%). The study revealed that there was a high potential for the development of local chicken trade in Uganda. Designing solutions for the constraints of local chicken marketing would act as a tool for poverty alleviation not only to the rural chicken farmers but also the traders.