How to Work Livestock into a Conservation Agriculture System

In marginal environments where strong crop-livestock interactions exist, inclusive and equitable access to finance, well-functioning land rental markets, and efficient provision of extension advisory services contribute significantly towards the shift to more sustainable land use management and conservation agriculture (CA). This suggests that it is not simply competition for straw in feeding livestock, in lieu of utilization for ground cover, which limits the extent to which CA is applicable within drier marginal environments. CA is an avenue for sustainable production intensification. A shift in land use management paradigms towards CA is likely to bode well for social and environmental resilience, particularly in those marginal environments where both pastoralism and agro-pastoralism production systems co-exist.

Presenter : Shinan Kassam is a social scientist with the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA). His current research and development interests are focused on a better understanding of rural livelihood systems within fragile and water short environments; and through participatory research and learning, uncovering avenues for improved well-being through inclusive agricultural innovation systems. Shinan holds an interdisciplinary PhD in resource management and environmental studies from The University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) where he earned previous degrees (BSc(Agr.), MSc.) in agricultural economics. With international experience (research and management) and continued engagement within the MENA region (Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Yemen), Abu Dhabi, Central Asia (Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), and Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Eritrea, Sudan and Nigeria), Shinan is currently based at ICARDA’s regional office in Cairo.