Résumé

Le gouvernement de Botswana veut promouvoir la production laitière en milieu périurbain pour réduire la dépendance à l'égard du lait importé. La phase I consistait à présenter aux producteurs agricoles et aux éleveurs traditionnels les bovins croisés Simmental et Tswana à double fin, ainsi que la production fourragère, la conservation des résidus des cultures de plein champ et l'alimentation améliorée des animaux. Grâce aux nouvelles techniques adoptées, la production laitière a augmenté. La phase II consistera à poursuivre l'introduction et l'évaluation des récoltes fourragères et des bovins croisés à double fin dans les petites fermes; à évaluer le rendement économique et l'acceptation sociale des techniques introduites; à trouver des méthodes de commercialisation; et à resserrer les liens avec les vulgarisateurs.

Résumé post-projet

The project focused on the introduction of crossbred cattle (Tswana/Simmental), the production of a Dolichos legume (Lablab purpureus) for fodder and the use of crop residues (sorghum stover) for supplementary feeding in winter. Most of the research was conducted on farm with 46 farmers participating. The technical aspects of the project proved sound. Crossbreeds were hardy and did produce more milk than indigenous cattle while the supplementary feed did result in significant increases in milk yields. But, the extra cost and labour were not justified by the price paid to the farmer for the increased output, even after the establishment of government-subsidized village milk collection centres. Thus they did not result in increased incomes.

The most significant contribution of the project was in the area of training. The project funded a BSc, an MSc and a PhD, as well as a number of short courses. This provided for a well-balanced research team at the Animal Production Research Unit (APRU), one that holds out the possibility of advancement for junior researchers. Moreover, the project served to enhance the prominence of dairy research and the national capacity to carry out animal production research in general.

The project went on to a third phase funded by the Botswana government. But instead of providing cattle, APRU set up an artificial insemination program and moved away from lablab seed, a forage crop that must be sowed every year, toward Buffle grass, a permanent (self-seeding) pasture legume.

Institutions bénéficiaires