We conducted a cross-sectional study to establish the effect of proximity of livestock to a wildlife-livestock interface on the relative abundance of intra-erythrocytic hemoparasites in cattle. Blood samples were obtained from 131 randomlyselected cattle raised around Queen Elizabeth National Park. Cattle-farm location was determined by using Global Positioning System device from an arbitrarily reference point. Giemsa-stained blood smears were examined microscopically for intra-erythrocytic hemoparasites. Correlational analysis was used to examine the relationship between farm location and prevalence, whereas risk ratios were used to determine the strength of mixed hemoparasitic infections among cattle, using a significant level of α = 0.05. The location of a cattle farm significantly predicted the prevalence of Anaplasma (rs = 0.33, p < 0.05) and Theileria (rs = 0.57, p < 0.01) but, farm's proximity to QENP did not explain the variation in the prevalence of Babesia (rs = 0.14, p < 0.2). Although mixed infections occurred in 15% of sampled cattle, concurrent infection of cattle with A. marginale and B. bigemina [RR = 36; 95% CI (7.191); p < 0.001] was the only statistically significant mixed infection which was recorded. This study demonstrated that unlike the prevalence of B. bigemina, the prevalence of T. parva and A. marginale in livestock significantly increased with close proximity to a wildlife-livestock interface.

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Uganda Government embarked on promoting sedentary agriculture in Karamoja agro-pastoral semi-arid livelihood zone, which experience rapid environmental and high soil quality (SQ) decline. However, studies on sedentary agriculture&rsquo;s impact on soil quality using farmer&rsquo;s knowledge is limited. Consequently, a survey was carried out in Karamoja (Iriiri, Matany Sub-counties of Napak of districts and Rengen sub-county of Kotido) to determine the soil quality indicator parameters based on the farmers knowledge in order to build a local soil knowledge data base to better inform sustainable land use strategies. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, forty indigenous farmers per sub-county, were interviewed between August and September, 2015. The study took into account the social demographic characteristics of the people, farming enterprises, methods of crops production, crops yields trends, causes of the perceived yields trends and soil quality indicators. Prospects of developing Karamoja indigenous knowledge data base lies in visible feature that predict soil quality. Farmers used 36 parameters to determine SQ. The parameters were clustered into five categories; soil, crop, biological, environmental and management each category contributing to 42, 19,14,8 and 17% of the total indicators, respectively. The relationship between age group and the perceived indicators of soil fertility was statistically significant (p-value = 0.045) with the majority stating that they use either soil colour, soil depth or soil texture to express the fertility of soil. The farmer&rsquo;s soil quality indicators assessed in this study, is important in establishing indigenous-scientific hybrid knowledge data base to enhance soil fertility maintenance and better inform policy makers and other stakeholders on development of sustainable land use strategies.

acceptance. Intensive feeding systems have been developed with in situfeeding of OPF and PKC for cattle and goats, often with rice bran or copra cake The results from 21 case studies over the past three decades showed increased yields of 0.49-3.52 mt of fresh fruit bunches (FFB)/ ha/yr ; increased income by about 30% ; savings in weeding costs by 47-60% equivalent to 21-62 RM/ha/yr ; and an internal rate of return of 19% based on the actual field data The advances highlight demonstrable increased productivity of animals and meat offtakes, value addition to the palm oil crop, environmental sustainability and distinct economic impacts. Additionally, carbon sequestration is enhanced through more widespread use of grasses and tree legumes, and improved forage management practices, with resultant decreased carbon atmospheric emissions and global warming. Concerted future research and development efforts are necessary on the following: > Measurements of animal performance and crop yields under different nutritional and management regimes > Assessments of the effects on soil > Improved understanding of the management of animals under tree crops > Demonstration of beneficial animal performance > Sustainability of the production systems > Economic benefits, and, > The impact of integrated systems.The resultant impact provides important socio-economic benefits and food security for resource-poor small farmers. Increasing the adoption rate in the future is associated with promoting greater awareness of the potential of integrated systems, overcoming resistance by the crop-oriented plantation sector, and promotion of wider technology application. These issues are linked directly with defining coherent policy, institutional commitment,increased investments, private sector involvement, and a stimulus package of incentives.Organic farming is built on a set of principles, e.g. expressed by IFOAM as the principles of health, ecology, fairness and care. These principles are in various ways practiced and implemented in standards and rules for organic farming, some of which is certified, labelled and marketed at a higher price than non-organic produce, typically in countries with privileged consumers who can afford to choose to pay premium price. In other settings, following the principles do not necessarily lead to certification and premium prices, but improves farming, soil fertility and/or production on short and long term basis. This paper will examine the requirements, restrictions and opportunities for organic livestock production across diverse systems of smallholder production in the tropics. We use the term organic and agro-ecological farming, meaning farming in accordance with the organic principles.Organic livestock is unlikely to gain widespread interest for export. In relation to the local market and local consumers, it will gain interest if it produces high quality products or meets local economic conditions for low inputs or meets local sustainability requirements. The major challenge in agro-ecological and organic li...