The report tackles one of the most important global issues in 21st century. The issue is complex; the report attempts to integrate various components related to the topics, in particular the role of livestock in food security. I recognize that a lot of efforts have been made for the difficult process.
I have following comments on this report.
1. The report presented four pathways to sustainable agriculture production. One of the pathways is environemtal.
P 63 line 11 says:
“A pathway emphasizing the “environmental” dimension would give priority to conserving natural resource systems and cycles, with production and farming livelihoods better integrated with agro-ecological conditions, such as is encapsulated in agro-ecological intensification.”
In order to emphasize environmental dimension with integration of agro-ecological condition, for Use of trees for ruminant production by silvopastoral system is an important pathway. According to my study ilvopastoral area has positive impact on milk production n dual purpose cattle production system in Nicaragua (Yamamoto, et. al., 2007). Please see attached article.
Silvopastoral system is an important model of pathways with more attention to the environmental and social aspects (Page 63 Line 19-24) with sustainable intensification (integrated, low external input, climate-smart agriculture). It is low carbon agricultural production systems (Page 64 line 7).
Page 84 line 14 Environmental Aspect of conclusions
The following point can be added.
“Incorporate wherever possible silvopastoral system positively using tree resources (through feed, animal health, etc.) into livestock production which contributes to watershed management and biodiversity conservation simultaneously” can be included.
2. Page 63 line 19, As an institutional structure for promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural production, certification can be considered. We studied Certification on Environmental Sustainable Beef Production in Developing Countries. Please see attached report.
Also as Environmental Aspect of conclusions (Page 84 line 14), the following point can be considered. “Incorporate wherever possible certification system for environmentally sustainable agriculture” can be included.
3. Global demand on livestock products is increasing dramatically. One of the most important trends is the increasing meat consumption in BICS countries, particularly in China.
As a pathway to tackle the issue, awareness raising for consumers can be considered. Consumer perception should be directed to consume products produced in more environmentally sustainable ways. We studied the issue in Japan Netherland, Canada and Costa Rica. Please see the same report above.
4. Page 50 “3.2.3 Risks in an interconnected world”, Environmental risk due to trade liberalization is neglected.
For example, in Dien Bien Province, mountainous region in Northwest Vietnam, expansion of shifting cultivation for corn production causes forest degradation. Corn is largely purchased for feeding animals by piggeries located near Hanoi and pork meat is exported to China. I believe such environmentally negative connections to produce livestock feeds occur throughout the world. Increasing demand of pork in China caused environmental damage (degradation of forests) in Vietnam.
5. Throughout the report the role of livestock as insurance was recognized but reducing environmental damage by livestock by introducing insurance is missing. By providing insurance number of livestock as insurance can be reduced.
Please see attached concept note: Connecting climate change solution with poverty alleviation by rural finance: Expansion of crop production and reduction of livestock pressure on natural resources by agricultural insurance in Bugesera region, Rwanda.
6. Page 63 line 26
“Intensification and the continued shift from ruminants to monogastrics (especially poultry) are continuously improving land-use efficiency, helping to reduce the land area used per unit of output.” Fishery can also land use efficient production system. It would be better to compare ruminant, monogastrics and fish in terms of productivity as per energy consumption. Fish production/consumption is particularly energy efficient needed because they are cold blooded animals.
7. Page 32 line 43
According to the typology of the report, small holder mixed farming system considers more for those in Asia. Smallholders in Latin America are rather large scale and extensive; therefore it is difficult to fit in the typology.
8. Page 84 Line3
“Intensify efforts to rebuild and revitalize rural communities including through rural non-agricultural initiatives and infrastructure enhancement”.
As non-agricultural sector in government agencies, collaboration with forest sector is very important to intensify the effort because they have lands (forest land, many time they are not productive), available offices at the very rural conditions and political strength to organize with other sectors.
For example In India, Uttar Pradesh Participatory Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation Project uses Joint Forest Management (JFM) scheme to support rural poor by organizing women’s groups (Self Help Group) to provide finance to produce vegetables, poultry, etc.
Wataru Yamamoto