Some pastoralists are able to intensify, using supplements, veterinary inputs, fodder crops, tighter integration of farming and livestock, 'improved' high-yielding (but drought- and disease-prone) breeds and more market-oriented models of production.
In Brittany, RAD farms involved in the 'low-input fodder system' agri-environmental scheme demonstrated significant environmental improvements (Le Rohellec et al., 2009): total N pressure (i.e. excreta, mineral and organic fertilizers and manure) was 33% lower (121 v. 161 kg N/ha for conventional farms).
Figure 3 Sources of inputs to fodder producers.
A novel, combined food and energy (CFE) agro-ecosystem, was designed for sustainable production of food, fodder and energy without chemical inputs (fertiliser, herbicide and fungicide).
In the non-equilibrium rangelands where livestock (and wildlife) numbers have been suppressed by regular climatic events, intensification of livestock production by addition of inputs - mainly cultivated fodder, fencing and large water points - can become environmentally unsustainable.
Assuming no resource constraints, changes in the current farm systems were introduced stepwise, as both intensification of external input use (fertilisers and fodder) and qualitative changes in the configuration of the farms (i.e. changing land use towards fodder production, improving manure handling and/or changing cattle breeds).
The first stage comprises the input providers which include fodder farmers who provide their own labour on their farms, ploughing service providers that comprised KVDA, and RAE Trust and famers who provide grass seed and ploughing services as well.
The appearance of novel biochemical traits contributing to phenotypic diversity is inextricably linked with the constant input of new genetic fodder via gene and genome duplication.
We have found that 500 trees are enough to provide daily inputs of the high protein fodder to a dairy cow".
In other dryland counties of Kenya such as Mandera and Garissa, fodder producer groups are provided with subsidized inputs such as grass seeds, hay balers, hoes and spades and are trained on fodder production, conservation and marketing (VSF-Suisse 2009; CARE 2013).
