Sheep fattening is a practice that involves feeding and managing sheep for a specific time to increase their weight and improve their quality of meat production. In Ethiopia, particularly in rural areas, sheep fattening is a popular business venture among small-scale farmers. It provides an opportunity for farmers to generate income and improve their livelihoods. The practice is also important for meeting the increasing demand for meat in the country, which is expected to grow in the coming years due to population growth and urbanization.

Small ruminant community-based breeding refers to a breeding program managed and implemented by business-oriented livestock keepers, aiming to improve the genetic potential of their small ruminant populations. The community-based breeding program is well suited for intensive market-oriented farming and requires a small breeding flock. According to the Central Statistical Agency, Ethiopia's total sheep and goat population is estimated at 95.4 million, where 42.9 million are sheep and the remaining 52.5 million are goats (CSA, 2021).

Efficient water resources management is essential for the sustainable development of nations, and large dams are an important tool for achieving this endeavor. Here, we present an integrated approach to simulating the impacts of large dams, integrating river systems infrastructure, hydrodynamic, and economywide models. We apply the framework to examine the biophysical, GDP, and distributional impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on Sudan.

Abstract

Globally Food, Land, and Water Systems (FLWS) are being degraded rapidly. Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on natural resources. Agriculture plays a significant role in India’s $3.5 trillion economy, employing 43% of the available labor force. The share of agriculture and allied sectors in total gross value added (GVA) of the economy is 18.8% during 2021-22.

Decision making in agriculture has been based on general (blanket) recommendations made by technicians, the farmer's own knowledge or local practices that are adopted as customary for generations. Recognizing the need to generate information to help make site-specific decisions based on traditional agronomic research, this study uses Machine Learning (ML) models and a Global Harmony Search (GHS) methodology to find an optimal solution to the combination of practices that a farmer could implement according to his soil and climate conditions specific to his land.

This field report highlights the progress, challenges, and achievements of the integration of climate-smart agricultural practices by the Kimatwa Women Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) in Makindu, Makueni County.

This preliminary study aimed to glean lessons learned regarding CIS production, translation, communication, and use from the first phase of the AICCRA project (2020-2023) which can be used to inform practices moving forwards as well as shape paths for further inquiry.

Silvopastoral systems, integrating tree cultivation with livestock grazing, offer sustainable agricultural practices with environmental benefits. This study explores the vital role of Ziziphus species in Tunisian silvopastoral systems, emphasizing their ecological, economic, and cultural significance. The genus, comprising Ziziphus lotus, Ziziphus spina-christi, and Ziziphus mauritaniana, contributes to soil conservation, water retention, and biodiversity enhancement. Economic benefits include nutritional fruits, medicinal resources, and income generation.

This event introduced members of AICCRA cluster teams, and AICCRA collaborators in their networks with an interest in cost-benefit analysis, to a curriculum that has been developed based on the new methods for cost-benefit analysis in the CIS theme cluster.

The implementation of activities in 2023 is focused on integrated emissions reduction and sustainability, as well as promoting investments in value chains oriented towards national and regional objectives of adaptation and mitigation of climate change, poverty, social inclusion and biodiversity.