Christian Hülsebusch

• Dr. sc. agr.
• CEO at Deutsches Institut für Tropische und Subtropische Landwirtschaft

Many smallholder farmers grow crops using low-intensity management in the different rangelands of Eastern Africa. This crop cultivation also substantially contributes to the income of farmers. However, the extent of cropland expansion, the driving factors and the impacts have not been mapped on smaller scales. We obtained this information by interv...

Many activities from livestock husbandry contribute to emission and concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and methane (CH 4 ) gases to the atmosphere; activities such as grazing, manure and urine deposited or stored on land as well as crop farming practices such as tilling, burning of biomass or crop residues. A better unde...

In many parts of the world, the utilization of rangelands is based on the targeted movement of herds within and across often vast territories. Crucial for the success of these livestock operations are decisions on how to flexibly allocate animals to the existing vegetation, both in terms of numbers and concentrations, and in space and time. Researc...

Agricultural production in Kenya is dominated by smallholder enterprises which provide up to 60% of the country’s workforce. The agrarian transition to enhance smallholder participation in neoliberal capitalistic markets demands compliance to sanitary and phytosanitary standards and with codes for worker’s welfare and thus the concept of decent wor...

Sustainable rangeland management is crucial for conservation and improvement of global grassland ecosystems, livestock performance and grassland-linked livelihoods. This applies in particular for Sub-Saharan African countries like Namibia with its rangeland-based low external input livestock husbandry. In the local savannas, productivity and resour...

This study estimated the daily nutrient allowances from conventional commercially compounded feed and alternative feeds resources in smallholder pig enterprises in Busia, Nakuru, and Kiambu counties in Kenya. Feeding data from 144 pig enterprises was used to compute the daily dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and metabolisable energy (ME) suppli...

The aim of this study was to map the camel milk value chain and establish the predisposing factors for increase in microbial counts in milk along the chain. Isiolo County was chosen for the study. Data collection was done through key informant interviews, structured interview schedules, observation and microbial analysis of milk samples. During mil...

The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of β-haemolytic Escherichia coli in milk, as well as their sources, and their sensitivity to antibiotics. E. coli was isolated from samples of cow and camel milk, cow and camel udder surfaces, and milking persons’ hands. The organisms were identified using API20E biochemical kit. Haemolytic activity...

This study aimed at improving smallholders’ feeding and milk hygiene practices in order to increase milk production and improve its quality. A participatory action research was designed with focus group discussions, prioritization of farm challenges, training sessions and interventions in feeding and milk hygiene. Identification of challenges revea...

Influence of farm-level practices on milk quality and postharvest milk losses (PHL) were studied using qualitative and quantitative methods in smallholder and pastoral milk producing herds in Kenya. Milk PHL was estimated at 19 % in smallholder and at 58 % in pastoral herds, and was attributable to milking preparation and milk pooling. Staphylococc...

Associations between feeding practices, milk yield and composition was assessed in smallholder rural and peri-urban dairy cows (n= 97) and pastoral camel (n=15) herds. A cross sectional survey supplemented by follow up collection of feed and milk samples for laboratory analyses was conducted. Data was analyzed using descriptive, correlation and ana...

This study investigated the relationship between milking practices, mastitis as well as milk somatic cell counts (SCC) and the effects of high SCC on milk production and post-harvest losses (PHL) in smallholder dairy (n = 64) and pastoral camel (n = 15) herds in Kenya. Data collected included milking practices, mastitis test on udder quarters (n =...

This study aimed at determining farm gate quality of milk sold to formal and informal markets and designing policy recommendations to improve milk quality and safety. A cross- sectional survey, followed by on-farm milk quality testing and sample collection for laboratory analysis was conducted in Nakuru County, Kenya. Substantial amount of milk in...

Associations between feeding practices, milk yield and composition was assessed in a sample of smallholder (n= 97) and pastoral camel (n=15) herds through a cross sectional survey. Feed and milk sample were also collected for laboratory analyses. Data was analyzed using descriptive, correlation and analysis of variance statistics. Feeding practices...

This study characterized milk production, handling and marketing practices in sample herds from three production systems: smallholder rural, smallholder peri-urban and pastoral camel in Kenya. These practices, when not adequately applied, contribute to reduction in milk production and quality. Postharvest milk losses, occurring as a result of reduc...

Grasslands are the main source of feed for cattle in Argentina. Standing dead biomass accumulation threatens efficient resource use. The effect and timing of high impact grazing by cattle as a management tool to remove excess standing dead biomass was studied in grasslands of North Eastern Argentina. High impact grazing (HIG) was introduced monthly...

Innovation processes in land-use systems require land-users to change their management actions. Understanding land-users’ management actions requires understanding of how land-users regulate their system i.e. how they achieve what they want to achieve. Their management is based on their experience, which remains usually hidden to scientists, as it...

The authors wish to add the following amendments and corrections to their paper published in Environments [1].[...]

Conversion of rangelands into cultivated land is one of the main challenges affecting the management of rangelands in Ethiopia. In order to inform policy makers about trends in land-use conversion, this study examined the drivers, trends, and impacts of land conversions in five locations selected in the Borana rangelands of Southern Ethiopia. This...

This paper aims to conceptualize collaborative learning methodologies used in transdisciplinary research projects dealing with change in complex situations, such as farming and food systems of developing countries. For this purpose we propose a framework for understanding collaborative learning approaches based on theoretical considerations and...

Despite their contribution to food security, animal products and vegetables from urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) often raise public health and environmental concerns, given high use of agro-chemicals, organic fertilizers and wastewater. This study exemplarily investigated contamination of selected horticultural and livestock products (milk a...

Chinese smallholder pig producers, only outputting few pigs per year, still supply the major portion of pork consumed in the country. Research and policy focusing on this sector may therefore contribute to reducing rural poverty. This study analysed factor productivity and reproductive performance of 162 traditional smallholder pig producers in a 5...

Pastoralism is defined by a specialization to take advantage of the characteristic instability of rangeland environments. Through strategic mobility, pastoralism finds an asset in the existence of dynamic variability in the drylands, where sedentary agriculture or mixed farming find a problem in their lack of uniformity and stability. It is crucial...

Knowledge about grazing itineraries is important in order to understand decision making processes in pastoral production systems. Recently the use of GPS-technology has enabled a detailed spatial description of animal and herd movements in pastoral systems. Researchers either follow herds themselves -or equipped herders -with handheld GPS devices t...

China's small-scale pig keepers are the largest community of pork producers worldwide. About 56 % of the world's pigs originate from such systems, each producing 2-5 head per year. This study analyzes pig smallholders in Xishuangbanna, a prefecture of Yunnan Province. Categorical principal component analysis and two-step cluster analysis were used...

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Expansion of rubber tree plantations and agricultural mechanization caused a decline of swamp buffalo numbers in the Naban River National Nature Reserve (NRNNR), Yunnan Province, China. We analysed current use of buffaloes for field work and the recent development of the regional buffalo population, based on interviews with 184 farmers in 2007/2008...

We have shown in this analysis, that there is no easy answer to the question: is biofuel out competing food production for natural resources. We feel that when addressing this issue future discussions need to include a broader view on the global consequences of regional and national actions. It is necessary to base decisions not on short-term polit...

Goats in the arid and semi arid lowlands of northern Kenya are kept in a harsh and resource poor environment. The goats' reproductive performance is an indicator of their adaptation to the adverse conditions. A six months field study was carried out to assess reproductive performance of Gabra and Rendille goat populations in Marsabit district of no...

Grazing itineraries of herded and free grazing cattle (n = 194), goats (n = 148), and sheep (n = 129) were monitored in a village territory over a 1-year cycle by direct observation of grazing and excretion behaviour and by parallel animal tracking using a Global Positioning System. During the study period, standing and litter biomass of spontaneou...

Global positioning system (GPS) technology is increasingly applied in livestock science to monitor pasture use and tracking routes, and is often combined with equipment for monitoring animal activity. As GPS data are referenced in time and space, it is hypothesised that parameters derived there from, such as distance travelled and aerial distance b...

Farmers in the Sahelian zone face the dilemma of increasing regional demand for food and limited production potential of their agricultural system. Highly variable rainfall, low soil fertility and scarcity of arable land increasingly challenge agro-pastoralists to more efficiently use the nutrients available within their farming system. -The presen...

The immunoglobulin-G (IgG) status of camel calves from birth until six months of age was investigated in a natural herding situation on a livestock ranch in Kenya. Camel IgG was quantified post-natum (pn) up to six months of age by indirect antibody ELISA in serum of 68 camel calves. First colostrum intake was observed on average at 3.6 ± 3.0 h pn...

2) DITSL -German Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture, Witzenhausen, GERMANY Results of scientific research -particularly on low external input systems -still rarely find their way back into the communities whence they originate, and even if they finally do, are often perceived incomprehensible or irrelevant by the members of the targ...