Animal husbandry – Work Package 3 

The highly extensive system of animal husbandry in southwest Madagascar is liable to several constrictive factors such as seasonal water and forage shortage, animal diseases and, in more recent times, security issues in terms of cattle rustling. Local pastoralists are therefore forced to manage their herds in a more adaptive way by more frequently changing their feeding grounds and modifying traditional transhumance habits. The aim of this work package is therefore to study the spatial use of available pasture and water resources by local livestock, to analyze and potentially increase the herd productivity and to develop management strategies which may help to use the disposable resources in a more effective and sustainable way.