En Algérie, l'élevage du dromadaire joue un rôle primordial dans l'optique de la sécurité alimentaire des communautés sahariennes et steppiques. Cet article a pour objectif d'étudier l'évolution des effectifs camelins dans les différents territoires correspondants aux Sahara, Atlas Saharien et Steppe et ce durant la période 2000-2015. Les données statistiques nationales recueillies auprès du Ministère de l'Agriculture, du développement Rural et de la pêche ont permis de localiser la distribution des effectifs camelins par zone agroécologique et de constater que les effectifs de dromadaires à l'échelle nationale ont connu une augmentation. La répartition des effectifs par zone bioclimatique a mis en exergue que les effectifs localisés au niveau des territoires Saharien et Atlas Saharien connaissent une évolution stable, voir une progression relativement lente. L'expansion des effectifs au niveau des territoires hyperarides s'explique d'une part par le développement des filières (lait et viande) liés à une forte demandes des populations autochtones et d'autre part par les politiques de subvention des aliments de bétail. Par contre, l'évolution dans les territoires steppiques permet d'observer une évolution en dents de scie. La conjonction des effets de sécheresses et des politiques agricoles semblent expliquer cette tendance à la régression. (Résumé d'auteur)

Four butter-making methods (3 traditional: clay pot - CP, 'mesbekia' - M - a wooden agitator with three to five finger like projections at one end, and a combination of the two - CP+M; and one improved internal wooden agitator fitted to the traditional clay pot - IWA) were evaluated for their efficiencies in terms of fat recovery and churning time at 12 smallholder milk producers in the central highlands of Ethiopia. About 21 litres of milk was needed to produce one kg of butter (83% total solids - TS). An average churning time of 222 min was recorded for the three traditional methods with a mean fat recovery of about 90%. Churning time was significantly reduced by 65% for the IWA as compared to the average of the 3 traditional methods. The effect of holding Ayib (Ethiopian cottage cheese) in whey for different time length (1 h, 2 h and overnight) on Ayib yield was compared. The mean Ayib-making time and temperature was respectively 48 min and 57°C. Weight of Ayib recovered significantly increased with increasing length of time Ayib stayed in whey before separation, amounting to 1266, 1475 and 1776 g per 9.2 litres of buttermilk for 1 h, 2 h and overnight, respectively. About 6 litres of buttermilk was needed to produce one kg of Ayib (20.4% TS). Besides, aerobic mesophylic bacterial count (AMC), counts of enterobacteria, and coliform bacterial count (CC) were performed. Average AMC, counts of enterobacteria and CC of butter samples were 8, 5.3 and 3.8 log cfu/g, respectively, while the counts for Ayib samples were 7.9, 5.1 and 4.4 log cfu/g, respectively. Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella and Klyuvera were the genera identified, while Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella gr. 47 are the species commonly isolated from both products. The knowledge on traditional butter- and Ayib-making efficiencies and their microbial properties is essential to increase yield and improve quality and preservation of the products. (Résumé d'auteur)

International audience

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Source Agritrop Cirad (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/593834/) | International audience | The study focuses on the potential impact of a soil bank on the renewal of pastoral vegetation required by climatic constraints. Soil samples from Saharan grazed ecosystems in Southern Algeria were collected from 6 types of rangelands during 2017 winter and then placed in greenhouse plateaus. Only 31 species germinated, including a larger number of ephemeral species (27) mainly from 4 families on 19: Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae and Cariophyllaceae. On the other hand, surface floristic surveys have allowed to inventory 63 species, with a predominance of ephemeral species (36) mainly from 4 families on 22: Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae. The ANOVA test shows that there is a trend for a significant difference between the specific richness of the vegetation in place (p = 0.002) and that of the seed bank (p<0.001). The largest number of plants comes from Saharan routes such as wadi beds and depressions and the smallest number comes from salt soil routes. The similarity between the density of the seed banks and the existing vegetation was low (Jaccard index = 0.36) indicating that the seed bank alone would not be enough for the regeneration of all the vegetation. The indices of the highest similarities were attributed to the typical Saharan salt soil (0.25) and wadi beds (0.20). It will therefore also be necessary to preserve the surface vegetation in the form of a seed bank collected in spring, put in tusks, or even nurseries to be able to regenerate it. | L'étude porte sur l'impact potentiel d'une banque du sol sur le renouvellement de la végétation pastorale nécessité par les contraintes climatiques. Des échantillons de sols des écosystèmes pâturés sahariens du Sud algérien ont été prélevés dans 6 types de parcours pendant l'hiver 2017 puis placés dans des plateaux de serre. Seulement 31 espèces ont germé dont un plus grand nombre d'espèces éphémères (27) surtout de 4 familles sur 19: Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae et Cariophyllaceae. Par contre, les relevés floristiques en surface ont permis d'inventorier 63 espèces, avec une dominance d'espèces éphémères (36) surtout de 4 familles sur 22: Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae et Fabaceae. Le test de l'ANOVA montre qu'il y a une tendance pour une différence significative entre la richesse spécifique de la végétation en place (p = 0,002) et celle de la banque de graines (p<0,001). Le plus grand nombre de plantes est issu des parcours sahariens type lits d'oueds et dépressions et le nombre le plus faible provient de parcours de sols salés. La similitude entre la densité des banques de semences et de la végétation en place était faible (indice de Jaccard = 0,36) indiquant que la banque de semences seule ne serait pas suffisante pour la régénération de toute la végétation. Les indices des similarités les plus élevés ont été attribués aux parcours sahariens types sols salés (0,25) et lits d'oueds (0,20). Il faudra donc aussi conserver la végétation de surface sous forme de banque de graines collectées au printemps, mise en défens, ou même pépinières pour pouvoir la régénérer.

peer reviewed | For the first time, the status of cavy culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is reviewed with emphasis on Sud-Kivu province. Cavy culture, as discussed in this paper, is the raising, production and utilization of the domestic cavy (i.e., Guinea pig, Cavia porcellus) for consumption. Many sources were used in the review, but published scientific research literature is extremely scarce. Nevertheless, it can be estimated that more than 2 million cavies are kept in DRC, contributing significantly to nutrition security, especially animal protein, and income generation of some hundreds of thousands of poor rural and urban households. The largest cavy populations are in the Kivu provinces, which is probably partly due to the inclusion of cavies in ‘rehabilitation kits’ of humanitarian NGOs and in the agricultural portfolio of development agencies who seek to address the challenges of widespread hunger and malnutrition in the area. The review covers the history of cavy culture in Sud-Kivu since colonial times based on oral tradition; it describes the current ‘cavy status’ in the country and identifies research and capacity building needs. We suggest that cavy culture in DRC is likely to become more widespread and important due to the activities of a new project on ‘Harnessing husbandry of domestic cavy for alternative and rapid access to food and income in Cameroon and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’. Given the dimension, cavies should be included in livestock census as well as research and development agenda, honoring their role in the livelihoods of less endowed people, especially women.

peer reviewed | In Northern Vietnam, the livestock production sector has been strongly encouraged to develop by the government for many years as an important livelihood strategy to alleviate household poverty. Over the last few decades, it has been developed quickly, but remained unsustainable. This study aims to identify the dynamics of livestock production systems during the economic transformation period and their current constraints as the basic for setting up sustainable development policies. A survey, which is based on participatory and retrospective approaches, was conducted at 38 households in two communes of Hai Duong province in 2010. The results indicated a significant evolution of livestock production systems from a traditional small-scale production system into a specialized intensive one due to the land law and the rice land conversion program in 1990s and the industrialization and urbanization process in 2000s. The intensification of livestock production system, which is accompanied by the increasing dependence on imported inputs and the limited knowledge and skills in adequate techniques and disease management, poses a huge difficulty to producers in developing their livestock production systems. Therefore, the priority of development policies should be given to the promotion of the local resource utilisation as feed for animals and to the improvement of farmers’ ability to manage their production through not only government supports but also participation of social organisations and farmers.

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.

International audience | The primary objective of this investigation was to examine the impact of postponed grazing on the floristic diversity and pastoral capacity of Stipa tenacissima L. rangelands, spanning from a reserved zone to an openly grazed rangeland along a transect. During the spring of 2021, field sampling was conducted along four transects intersecting in pairs, each approximately 8,000 meters in length, employing the quadrat point technique. The findings demonstrate notable impacts on all scrutinized characteristics, favoring the fully protected pathway distinguished by a vegetation cover of ≥ 80%, with annual species contributing up to 40% of the cover. Within the enclosed region, surface soil attributes exhibit a litter rate nearing 8% and minimal bare soil presence (<5%). Pastoral output surpasses 330 UF.ha-1.an-1, with an estimated potential stocking rate of 0.84 eq.ov.ha-1. | Le présent travail vise à étudier l'effet du report du pâturage sur la diversité floristique et les potentialités pastorales des parcours de Stipa tenacissima L., le long d’un transect allant d'une mise en défens vers un parcours à pâturage libre. Au printemps 2021, un échantillonnage a été effectué sur quatre transects croisés deux par deux d'une longueur moyenne de 8000 m selon la méthode des points quadrats. Les résultats obtenus révèlent des effets significatifs pour l’ensemble des attributs analysés en faveur du parcours de protection intégrale qui se caractérise par un recouvrement de la végétation ≥ 80 % et, où les espèces annuelles contribuent jusqu’à 40 % du couvert. Dans la zone en défens, les éléments de la surface du sol sont caractérisés par un taux de litière qui avoisine les 8 % et une faible présence de sol nu (&lt;5%). La productivité pastorale est supérieure à 330 UF.ha-1.an-1et la capacité de charge potentielle est estimée à 0.84 eq.ov.ha-1.