Worms in smallholder livestock systems: technologies and practices that make a difference.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Veterinary Parasitology
• Development Studies

Background:

• Applied research on helminth parasite control is crucial for smallholder and emerging farmers in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
• Existing technologies range from herbal remedies to integrated chemical and breeding strategies, but adoption is often limited.
• Barriers to adoption include lack of technical support, poor market access, and insufficient incentives for poorer farmers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore new approaches for helminth parasite control that encompass the broader production and market environment.
• To understand the biological, social, and economic context of emerging farming systems for effective technology matching.
• To emphasize the need for joint decision-making between farmers, extension workers, and scientists for technology adoption and sustainability.

Main Methods:

• A participatory process was used to evaluate a range of parasite control technologies for pig, large ruminant, and goat production in an Asian farming system.
• Criteria for screening technologies included input availability (e.g., dewormers), dependence on related innovations (e.g., weaning), and community organization requirements.
• Assessment focused on determining sustainability beyond initial testing phases.

Main Results:

• Chemical deworming, particularly for Toxocara infections in cattle and buffalo calves, emerged as a feasible entry point, especially when combined with supplementary forage feeding.
• Further interventions, such as weaning and controlled breeding, were dependent on broader production system changes.
• Improved market access and price signals for enhanced animal weight and condition were identified as essential incentives for adopting these production changes.

Conclusions:

• Successful helminth parasite control necessitates stronger multidisciplinary and participatory approaches.
• Sustainability requires addressing not only technical aspects but also market incentives and community organization.
• Matching technologies to the specific context of emerging farming systems is key to effective and lasting parasite management.