towards eco‐efficient agriculture
CIAT forages research improves the
Social equity
performance of grasses and legumes. We Benefits
work with public and private In Asia, women cultivate forages to
organizations to generate beneficial produce more chicken, pigs and fish for
impacts throughout the tropics. home and market.
Less labor needed to find adequate
animal feed.
Forage and animal production diversifies
cash flows and improves household
capacity to withstand financial
emergencies.
Challenges
Continuing expansion of forage use and
training via partner organizations.
Adapt Asian lessons to Africa and Latin
America & Caribbean.
Economic
Benefits
In Latin America, farmers planted CIAT &
Holmann, 2009
NARS Brachiaria grasses on at least
254,000 km2 ‐ an area larger than the
United Kingdom.1
Total value $20 billion (1990‐2007).
Challenges
Improving farm profitability on marginal
lands.
Environmental
Benefits
CIAT, 2009
Forage production can reduce soil
erosion and increase soil fertility.
Improved forages reduces greenhouse
gas emissions.
Challenges
Minimize tradeoffs between animal
production, greenhouse gas emissions
and carbon sequestration.
Market and policy incentives to
recuperate large areas of degraded lands.
1 A conservative estimate, could be 2 ‐ 3 times larger, especially when pastures in Brazil are considered.