Author : Carlito De Araujo Mali Code

Summary : The study was conducted to develop a bio-economic model of rainfed rice-Bali cattle farming system in Maliana, Bobonaro district of Timor-Leste that could be used as a tool to evaluate alternative management options designed to improve the existing production system. A survey was conducted among selected farmers in seven villages of Maliana and focused on the rainfed rice-Bali cattle production system. A total of 120 farmers were randomly selected and were interviewed about their current farming system practices. Results of the survey reveal that they practice small-scale subsistence cropping of rice and maize. Farming is their main source of income and characterized by relatively low yield attributed to poor application of improved technologies. Farming systems are diverse and most farmers also raise livestock (e.g. cattle, water buffalo, goats). Native pastures consisting of mainly native grasses and some legumes provide a cheap source of feeds. Livestock range freely with no grazing management which gradually lead to loss of vegetative cover and soil erosion. Moreover, results reveal that majority of respondents inherited the practice of raising Bali cattle from their parents and they have been raising cattle from 5 to 40 years. Respondents obtained their knowledge on cattle production from the government with conditions such as provision of training on feeding, pest and disease control, free vaccines and other technical support. Farmers cited that availability of inexpensive and quality forages especially during the long dry season is a major constraint on cattle production. Farmers depend heavily on locally available natural feed resources but there is a shortfall due to limited land availability and uncertain local climatic patterns. Inadequate government support in terms of improved technology in crop-livestock farming system is aggravated by the scarcity of resources and reluctance of farmers to adopt improved technologies.