Measuring Impact

Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Improving farmer livelihoods through efficient use of resources in crop-livestock farming systems in western China

Project ID:
LWR/2007/191: Improving farmer livelihoods through efficient use of resources in crop-livestock farming systems in western China
Collaborating Countries:
China
Commissioned Organisation:
University of Adelaide, Australia
Project Leader
Dr William Bellotti
Phone: 08 8303 7728
Fax: 08 8303 7979
Email: william.bellotti@adelaide.edu.au
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Lanzhou University, China
  • CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Australia
  • University of Queensland, Australia
  • Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China
  • Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau, Quingyang City, China
  • Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau, Huanxian County, China
  • Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau, Xifeng District, China
Project Budget:
$1,115,120
Project Duration:
01/04/2008 - 31/03/2012
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr Christian Roth
Project Overview

The development of integrated crop-livestock systems has potential to alleviate poverty and reduce resource degradation in western China. Recognising this potential, Chinese Government programs have introduced policies to replace cultivation on sloping land with perennial forages, promote conservation agriculture and develop livestock industries. However, there is a growing realisation that benefits will not be realised without the adoption of an integrated approach to research and development of crop-livestock systems, and steps are also needed to overcome some of the institutional barriers inherent in traditional research-extension pathways. This project will undertake farm experimentation with systems analysis tools (databases, simulation modelling, economic analysis) while focusing on integration of crop and livestock production. It will emphasise productivity, water-use efficiency and whole farm economic performance. The main anticipated economic impact will be improvement in farmers' incomes by helping them to more effectively establish perennial pastures and to optimise their cropping-livestock mix in relation to rainfall and market opportunities.