This document outlines priority themes to improve smallholder dual-purpose cattle value chains in Nicaragua. The themes include: 1) controlling degradation of natural resources through erosion control and agroforestry systems, 2) ensuring year-round feed availability through technology and pasture management, and 3) increasing small farmer access to seeds through community banks and cooperatives. Other themes are promoting entrepreneurship, improving product quality, and strengthening marketing skills. The overall goals are sustainably intensifying production for smallholder farmers while enhancing natural resources, diversifying products to increase income, and improving product quality and access for poor communities.

1. 1. Degradation of natural
resources
•Erosion control
•Agrosilvopastoral systems
•(Financial) incentives
2. Feeding
•Ensure availability throughout the
year
•Technology packages
•Pasture management strategies
3. Seed accessibility for small
farmers
•Alliances with seed private sector
•Community based seed banks,
linked to cooperatives
PRIORITY THEMES DEFINED AT STAKEHOLDERS’ WORKSHOP
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Nicaragua smallholder dual-purpose cattle value chain – What you
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4. Entrepreneurship
•Alliances between different value
chain components
•Horizontal and vertical integration
•Capacity building
•Production data at farm level
•Long-term credit
5. Product quality (at farmer level)
•Product control, milking inspection
system
•Technical assistance, with focus on
quality
•Promotion of “best practices”
(milking, storage, cooling)
6. Marketing
•Improve marketing skills
•Focus on cooperatives
EMPHASIS ON DOUBLE-IMPACT PATHWAY
BY THE POOR
- Sustainable intensification – increased
productivity (feeding, genetics, management)
while enhancing natural resource integrity
- Product diversification, niche markets, added
value and higher income through higher quality
products and ecosystem services
- Emphasis on female-led households
FOR THE POOR
- Improved productivity, lower production costs,
increased access and affordability (emphasis on
poor women, children)
- Improved product quality and food safety
through better processing
- Involving dairy industry in particular in
improving accessibility of products for (urban)
poor
INSTRUMENTS
• Value Chain Assessment
•Establishment of Sustainable
Livestock Platform
•Linking Bilateral Projects
• Joint Proposal Development