Benchmarking smallholder goat enterprises and practices in central Lao PDR and farmer response to a research and development program

Luisa Olmo; Ammaly Phengvilaysouk; Alison F. Colvin; Phonepaseuth Phengsavanh; Joanne Millar; Thaixiong Xaikhue; Stephen Walkden-Brown

doi:10.1071/AN24343

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Previous Next Contents Vol 65(3)

Benchmarking smallholder goat enterprises and practices in central Lao PDR and farmer response to a research and development program

Luisa Olmo

^A ^D ^* , Ammaly Phengvilaysouk ^B , Alison F. Colvin

^A , Phonepaseuth Phengsavanh ^B , Joanne Millar ^C , Thaixiong Xaikhue ^A and Stephen Walkden-Brown

^B

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Environmental and Rural Science, The University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

^B National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Vientiane, Lao PDR.

^C Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.

^D Present address: Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Woodbridge Road, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: luisa.olmo@une.edu.au

Handling Editor: Peter Windsor

Animal Production Science 65, AN24343 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN24343

Submitted: 17 October 2024 Accepted: 16 January 2025 Published: 4 February 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context

In Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), goat numbers are rapidly growing and have the potential to improve rural and economic development through income generation.

Aims

To implement a goat research and development program and benchmark and evaluate smallholder practices.

Methods

In the first year (2020), forage growing was facilitated through formal and on-the-job monthly training. In Year 2 (2021), local staff were trained in inexpensive and locally available veterinary treatments of goats. Mineral blocks were introduced with a 50% subsidy, following a 2-month trial period. In Year 3 (2022), metal roofing material was provided to households that constructed new goat houses with elevated and slatted flooring. Annualised farmer benchmarking surveys (BMS) and monthly household surveys (MHS) monitored farmer practice change between 2020–2023 and 2021–2022 respectively.

Key results

The BMS and the MHS confirmed significant rises in the proportion of farmers using mineral blocks between 2020 and 2023 at 303% (P < 0.001) and between 2021 and 2022 at 53% respectively. The BMS and MHS also reflected an increase in the proportion of farmers growing forages between 2020 and 2023 (204%) and between 2021 and 2022 (9%), a decrease in the proportion of households treating sick goats with drugs between 2020 and 2023 (47%) and between 2021 and 2022 (53%), and an increase in the proportion of farmers providing concentrate feed between 2020 and 2023 (34%) and between 2021 and 2022 (increased from 0 to 4.2%) respectively.

Conclusions

Mineral blocks have a high potential for adoption with a trial and subsidisation period. It is recommended to increase daily grazing duration from 6–8 h to be as long as practical to reduce the impacts of late dry-season feed shortages (April–May), which coincided with a natural peak in kidding. Average goat herd size increased by three goats over the course of the project, which may reflect improved financial security as livestock are a form of asset storage.

Implications

These trends show short-term practice change; however, further research is needed to verify whether these changes increase goat growth rate, health and kid survival.

Keywords: farmer adoption, husbandry, international agricultural development, kidding, Laos, livestock, small ruminants, Southeast Asia.

References

Adisa R (2015) Livestock extension practice and competency among agricultural extension agents in north-central Nigeria. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension 43(1), 12-21.
| Google Scholar |

Anzuino K, Knowles TG, Lee MRF, Grogono-Thomas R (2019) Survey of husbandry and health on UK commercial dairy goat farms. Veterinary Record 185(9), 267.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Bélanger-Naud S, Cinq-Mars D, Julien C, Arsenault J, Buczinski S, Lévesque J, Vasseur E (2021) A survey of dairy goat kid-rearing practices on Canadian farms and their associations with self-reported farm performance. Journal of Dairy Science 104(9), 9999-10009.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Dhand N, Khatkar M (2014) Statulator: an online statistical calculator. Sample size calculator for estimating a single proportion. Available at http://statulator.com/SampleSize/ss1P.html [verified 27 April 2020]

Dwyer CM, Conington J, Corbiere F, Holmøy IH, Muri K, Nowak R, Rooke J, Vipond J, Gautier JM (2016) Invited review: Improving neonatal survival in small ruminants: science into practice. Animal 10(3), 449-459.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

FAOSTAT (2024) FAOSTAT statistics database. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Statistics Division. Available at https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data [verified 19 January 2024]

Gray D, Walkden-Brown S, Phengsavanh P, Hergenhan R, Hoang N, Phengvilaysouk A, Carnegie M, Millar J, Hữu Văn N (2019) Final report: assessing goat production and marketing systems in Lao PDR and market linkages into Vietnam. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Available at https://aciar.gov.au/publication/technical-publications/assessing-goat-production-and-marketing-systems-lao-pdr-and-market-linkages-vietnam

Health Poverty Action (2017) Resilient livelihoods for the poor project Sepon district, Savannakhet Province. Completion report. (Australian Aid: Canberra)

IFAD (2021) ‘The small livestock advantage: a sustainable entry point for addressing SDGs in rural areas.’ (International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): Rome, Italy)

Inchaisri C, Jorritsma R, Vos PLAM, van der Weijden GC, Hogeveen H (2010) Economic consequences of reproductive performance in dairy cattle. Theriogenology 74(5), 835-846.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Jayasekara PP, Jenkins C, Gerber PF, Olmo L, Xaikhue T, Theppangna W, Walkden-Brown SW (2024) Case-control study to identify the causative agents of ophthalmia and conjunctivitis in goats in Savannakhet province of Lao PDR. Veterinary Microbiology 296, 110195.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Kongmanila D (2012) Erythrina foliage as an alternative feed for growing goats in Lao PDR. PhD thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Kumar V, Singh BP, Dutt T (2016) Production performance of goat in field condition: a survey in semi-arid zone of Uttar Pradesh, India. The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 86(10), 1187-1191.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Lao Statistics Bureau (2021) The 3rd Lao census of agriculture 2019/2020. Available at https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/ess/ess_test_folder/World_Census_Agriculture/WCA_2020/WCA_2020_new_doc/WCA_2020_doc2/LAO_REP1_ENG_2020.pdf [verified 16 December 2024]

Lettini SE, Sukhdeo MVK (2006) Anhydrobiosis increases survival of trichostrongyle nematodes. The Journal of Parasitology 92(5), 1002-1009.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Liehr E, Millar J, Walkden-Brown S, Chittavong M, Olmo L (2024a) The role of goat production in smallholder systems in Lao PDR: implications for improving productivity and scaling up production. Animal Production Science 64(7), AN23368.
| Google Scholar |

Liehr E, Millar J, Walkden-Brown S, Chittavong M, Olmo L (2024b) Farmer experiences with goat raising in Lao PDR: implications for improving husbandry and sustaining viable systems. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 22, 2344778.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Lu CD (2023) The role of goats in the world: society, science, and sustainability. Small Ruminant Research 227, 107056.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

MAF (2020) Agricultural statistics year book 2019. Available at https://ali-sea.org/aliseaonlinelibrary-dashboard/get/file/Laos-Agricultural-Statistics-Year-book-2019.pdf [verified 18 December 2024]

Matsumoto N, Nampanya S, Khounsy S, Young JR, Ashley KA, Bush RD, Windsor PA (2017) Challenges for beef production in smallholder communities with low reproductive management skills: a case study from northern Lao PDR. Tropical Animal Health and Production 49, 87-96.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Millar J, Connell J (2010) Strategies for scaling out impacts from agricultural systems change: the case of forages and livestock production in Laos. Agriculture and Human Values 27, 213-225.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Monau PI, Visser C, Nsoso SJ, Van Marle-Köster E (2017) A survey analysis of indigenous goat production in communal farming systems of Botswana. Tropical Animal Health and Production 49, 1265-1271.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Mondry R, Constant P, Chantasay C, Kallabinski J (2005) Village veterinary worker network as a private sector approach. Available at http://lad.nafri.org.la/fulltext/LAD010320071058.pdf [verified 20 December 2024]

Ndoro JT, Mudhara M, Chimonyo M (2014) Livestock extension programmes participation and impact on smallholder cattle productivity in KwaZulu-Natal: a propensity score matching approach. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension 42(2), 62-80.
| Google Scholar |

Nguyễn XB, Nguyễn HV, Nguyễn TM, Lê Văn N, Hoàng N (2022) Vỗ béo dê: tạo thu nhập cao cho nông hộ và đáp ứng thị trường dê thịt ở Việt Nam. Journal of Animal Production (Vietnamese) 11, 46-47.
| Google Scholar |

Nimbalkar V, Verma HK, Singh J (2020) Awareness and adoption of urea-molasses multi nutrient block (UMMB) technology in field situations of Punjab, India. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 9(1), 2170-2179.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Olmo L, Ashley K, Young JR, Suon S, Thomson PC, Windsor PA, Bush RD (2017) Improving smallholder cattle reproductive efficiency in Cambodia to address expanding regional beef demand. Tropical Animal Health and Production 49, 163-172.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Olmo L, Nampanya S, Nemanic TS, Selwood N, Khounsy S, Young JR, Thomson PC, Windsor P, Bush RD (2020) Can fenbendazole-medicated molasses blocks control Toxocara vitulorum in smallholder cattle and buffalo calves in developing countries? Studies from upland Lao PDR. Animal Production Science 60(17), 2031-2043.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Olmo L, Young JR, Nampanya S, MacPhillamy IB, Khounsy S, Thomson PC, Windsor PA, Bush RD (2021) An investigation of interventions associated with improved cattle and buffalo reproductive performance and farmer knowledge on smallholder farms in Lao PDR. Animal Production Science 61(14), 1484-1496.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Ouchene-Khelifi NA, Ouchene N, Lafri M (2021) Characterization and typology of goat production systems in Algeria based on producers survey. Bulletin of the National Research Centre 45, 22.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Phengvichith V, Ledin I (2007) Effect of feeding different levels of wilted cassava foliage (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) on the performance of growing goats. Small Ruminant Research 71(1–3), 109-116.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Phengvilaysouk A, Colvin AF, Olmo L, Phengsavanh P, Millar J, Walkden-Brown SW (2022) Smallholder goat herd production characteristics and constraints in Lao PDR. The Lao Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 46, 3-19.
| Google Scholar |

Roberson JR, Baird AN, Pugh DG (2012) Chapter 10 – Diseases of the integumentary system. In ‘Sheep and goat medicine’. 2nd edn. (Eds DG Pugh, AN Baird) pp. 256–290. (W.B. Saunders: Saint Louis)

RStudio Team (2023) RStudio: Integrated Development Environment for R. RStudio, PBC, Boston, MA. Available at http://www.rstudio.com/ [verified 15 March 2024]

Silanikove N (2000) The physiological basis of adaptation in goats to harsh environments. Small Ruminant Research 35(3), 181-193.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Silva BF, Amarante MRV, Kadri SM, Carrijo-Mauad JR, Amarante AFT (2008) Vertical migration of Haemonchus contortus third stage larvae on Brachiaria decumbens grass. Veterinary Parasitology 158(1–2), 85-92.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Stur W, Horne PM, Gabunada FA, Jr, Phengsavanh P, Kerridge PC (2002) Forage options for smallholder crop-animal systems in Southeast Asia: working with farmers to find solutions. Agricultural Systems 71(1–2), 75-98.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Van Niekerk WA, Casey NH (1988) The Boer goat. II. Growth, nutrient requirements, carcass and meat quality. Small Ruminant Research 1(4), 355-368.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Windsor PA, Nampanya S, Tagger A, Keonam K, Gerasimova M, Putthana V, Bush RD, Khounsy S (2017) Is orf infection a risk to expanding goat production in developing countries? A study from Lao PDR. Small Ruminant Research 154, 123-128.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Windsor PA, Nampanya S, Kinnavong B, Phommasone P, Bush RD, Khounsy S (2019) Do triclabendazole medicated molasses blocks have a role in control of Fasciola gigantica in smallholder cattle production in Lao PDR? Animal Production Science 59(4), 787-779.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Windsor PA, Nampanya S, Olmo L, Khounsy S, Phengsavanh P, Bush RD (2021) Provision of urea–molasses blocks to improve smallholder cattle weight gain during the late dry season in tropical developing countries: studies from Lao PDR. Animal Production Science 61(5), 503-513.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

World Bank (2024) GDP per capita (current US$) – Lao PDR. Available at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=LA [verified April 2024]

Zamuner F, Leury BJ, DiGiacomo K (2023) Review: feeding strategies for rearing replacement dairy goats – from birth to kidding. Animal 17(6), 100853.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |