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Best practice health and husbandry of cattle and buffalo in Lao PDR

Project ID:
AH/2006/159: Best practice health and husbandry of cattle and buffalo in Lao PDR
Collaborating Countries:
Laos
Commissioned Organisation:
University of Sydney, Australia
Project Leader
Dr Peter Andrew Windsor
Phone: 02 9351 1710
Fax: 02 4655 0618
Email: pwindsor@camden.usyd.edu.au
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Laos
  • Tristan Jubb Veterinary Consulting, Australia
  • Charles Sturt University, Australia
  • International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Laos
  • National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service, Laos
Project Budget:
$620,380
Project Duration:
01/06/2008 - 31/05/2012
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr Doug Gray
Project Overview

Cattle and buffalo are an important part of agricultural systems in Lao PDR, accounting for approximately 20% of agricultural GDP. Ninety five percent of the two million cattle and buffalo in Lao PDR are owned by rural households that farm on a subsistence basis. Livestock provide these families with draught power, nutrition and cash income. However production increases to help smallholders access markets servicing the growing 3% annual demand for livestock meat across Asia are constrained by entrenched diseases, poor feeds and subsistence-based husbandry practices. By examining current practices and knowledge for livestock diseases and husbandry, including through farmer participation, and with reference to complementary projects on disease control in the Mekong, a best practice approach will be developed to improve livestock productivity, potentially increasing marketing opportunities for smallholder livestock producers. Project activities will also operate in conjunction with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, and collaborate with the Asian Development Bank's Northern Region Sustainable Livelihood through Livestock Development Project.