Status and Potential of Smallholder Livestock Production Systems in Xishuangbanna, southern P.R. China

With Chinas rapid economic development during the last decades, the national demand for livestock products has quadrupled within the last 20 years. Most of that increase in demand has been answered by subsidized industrialized production systems, while million of smallholders, which still provide the larger share of livestock products in the country, have been neglected. Fostering those systems would help China to lower its strong urban migration streams, enhance the livelihood of poorer rural population and provide environmentally save livestock products which have a good chance to satisfy customers demand for ecological food. Despite their importance, China’s smallholder livestock keepers have not yet gained appropriate attention from governmental authorities and researchers. However, profound analysis of those systems is required so that adequate support can lead to a better resource utilization and productivity in the sector. To this aim, this pilot study analyzes smallholder livestock production systems in Xishuangbanna, located in southern China. The area is bordered by Lao and Myanmar and geographically counts as tropical region. Its climate is characterized by dry and temperate winters and hot summers with monsoon rains from May to October. While the regionis plain, at about 500 m asl above sea level in the south, outliers of the Himalaya mountains reach out into the north of Xishuangbanna, where the highest peak reaches 2400 m asl. Except of one larger city, Jinghong, Xishuangbanna mainly is covered by tropical rainforest, areas under agricultural cultivation and villages. The major income is generated through inner-Chinese tourism and agricultural production. Intensive rubber plantations are distinctive for the lowland plains while small-scaled traditional farms are scattered in the mountane regions. In order to determine the current state and possible future chances of smallholder livestock production in that region, this study analyzed the current status of the smallholder livestock sector in the Naban River National Nature Reserve (NRNNR), an area which is largely representative for the whole prefecture. It covers an area of about 50square kilometer and reaches from 470 up to 2400 m asl. About 5500 habitants of different ethnic origin are situated in 24 villages. All data have been collected between October 2007 and May 2010. Three major objectives have been addressed in the study: 1. Classifying existing pig production systems and exploring respective pathways for development 2. Quantifying the performance of pig breeding systemsto identify bottlenecks for production 3. Analyzing past and current buffalo utilization to determine the chances and opportunities of buffalo keeping in the future In order to classify the different pig production s ystems, a baseline survey (n=204, stratified cluster sampling) was carried out to gain data about livestock species, numbers, management practices, cultivated plant species and field sizes as well associo-economic characteristics. Sampling included two clusters at village level (altitude, ethnic affiliation), resulting in 13 clusters of which 13-17 farms were interviewed respectively. Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CatPCA) and a two-step clustering algorithm have been applied to identify determining farm characteristics and assort recorded households into classes of livestock production types. The variables keep_sow_yes/no, TLU_pig, TLU_buffalo, size_of_corn_fields, altitude_class, size_of_tea_plantationand size_of_rubber_fieldhave been found to be major determinants for the characterization of the recorded farms. All farms have extensive or semi-intensive livestock production, pigs and buffaloes are predominant livestock species while chicken and aquaculture are available but play subordinate roles for livelihoods. All pig raisers rely on a single local breed, which is known as Small Ear Pig (SMEP) in the region. Three major production systemshave been identified: Livestock-corn based LB; 41%), rubber based (RB; 39%) and pig based (PB;20%) systems. RB farms earn high income from rubber and fatten 1.9 ±1.80 pigs per household (HH), often using purchased pig feed at markets. PB farms own similar sized rubber plantations and raise 4.7 ±2.77 pigs per HH, with fodder mainly being cultivated and collected in theforest. LB farms grow corn, rice and tea and keep 4.6 ±3.32 pigs per HH, also fed with collected and cultivated fodder. Only 29% of all pigs were marketed (LB: 20%; RB: 42%; PB: 25%), average annual mortality was 4.0 ±4.52 pigs per farm (LB: 4.6 ±3.68; RB: 1.9 ±2.14; PB: 7.1 ±10.82). Pig feed mainly consists of banana pseudo stem, corn and rice hives and is prepared in batches about two to three times per week. Such fodder might be sufficient in energy content but lacks appropriate content of protein. Pigs therefore suffer from malnutrition, which becomes most critical in the time before harvest season around October. Farmers reported high occurrences of gastrointestinal parasites in carcasses and often pig stables were wet and filled with manure. Deficits in nutritional and hygienic management are major limits for development and should be the first issues addressed to improve productivity. SME pork was found to be known and referred by local customers in town and by richer lowland farmers. However, high prices and lacking availability of SME pork at local wet-markets were the reasons which limited purchase. If major management constraints are overcome, pig breeders (PB and LB farms) could increase the share of marketed pigs for town markets and provide fatteners to richer RB farmers. RB farmers are interested in fattening pigs for home consumption but do not show any motivation for commercial pig raising. To determine the productivity of input factors in pig production, eproductive performance, feed quality and quantity as well as weight development of pigs under current management were recorded. The data collection included a progeny history survey covering 184 sows and 437 farrows, bi-weekly weighing of 114 pigs during a 16-months time-span on 21 farms (10 LB and 11 PB) as well as the daily recording of feed quality and quantity given to a defined number of pigs on the same 21 farms. Feed samples of all recorded ingredients were analyzed for their respective nutrient content. Since no literature values on thedigestibility of banana pseudo stem – which is a major ingredient of traditional pig feed in NRNNR – were found, a cross-sectional digestibility trial with 2x4 pigs has been conducted on a station in the research area. With the aid of PRY Herd Life Model, all data have been utilized to determine thesystems’ current (Status Quo = SQ) output and the productivity of the input factor “feed” in terms of saleable life weight per kg DM feed intake and monetary value of output per kg DM feed intake.Two improvement scenarios were simulated, assuming 1) that farmers adopt a culling managementthat generates the highest output per unit input (Scenario 1; SC I) and 2) that through improved feeding, selected parameters of reproduction are improved by 30% (SC II). Daily weight gain averaged 55 ± 56 g per day between day 200 and 600. The average feed energy content of traditional feed mix was 14.92 MJ ME. Age at first farrowing averaged 14.5 ± 4.34 months, subsequent inter-farrowing interval was 11.4 ± 2.73 months. Littersize was 5.8 piglets and weaning age was 4.3 ± 0.99 months. 18% of piglets died before weaning. Simulating pig production at actualstatus, it has been show that monetary returns on inputs (ROI) is negative (1:0.67), but improved (1:1.2) when culling management was optimized so that highest output is gained per unit feed input. If in addition better feeding, controlled mating and better resale prices at fixed dates were simulated, ROI further increased to 1:2.45, 1:2.69, 1:2.7 and 1:3.15 for four respective grower groups. Those findings show the potential of pork production, if basic measures of improvement are applied. Futureexploration of the environment, including climate, market-season and culture is required before implementing the recommended measures to ensure a sustainable development of a more effective and resource conserving pork production in the future. The two studies have shown that the production of local SME pigs plays an important role in traditional farms in NRNNR but basic constraints are limiting their productivity. However, relatively easy approaches are sufficient for reaching a notable improvement. Also there is a demand for more SME pork on local markets and, if basic constraints have been overcome, pig farmers could turn into more commercial producers and provide pork to local markets. By that, environmentally safe meat can be offered to sensitive consumers while farmers increase their income and lower the risk of external shocks through a more diverse income generating strategy. Buffaloes have been found to be the second important livestock species on NRNNR farms. While they have been a core resource of mixed smallholderfarms in the past, the expansion of rubber tree plantations and agricultural mechanization are reasons for decreased swamp buffalo numbers today. The third study seeks to predict future utilization of buffaloes on different farm types in NRNNR by analyzing the dynamics of its buffalo population and land use changes over time and calculating labor which is required for keeping buffaloes in view of the traction power which can be utilized for field preparation. The use of buffaloes for field work and the recent development of the egional buffalo population were analyzed through interviews with 184 farmers in 2007/2008 and discussions with 62 buffalo keepers in 2009. While pig based farms (PB; n=37) have abandoned buffalo keeping, 11% of the rubber based farms (RB; n=71) and 100% of the livestock-corn based farms (LB; n=76) kept buffaloes in 2008. Herd size was 2.5 ±1.80 (n=84) buffaloes in early 2008 and 2.2 ±1.69 (n=62) in 2009. Field work on own land was the main reason forkeeping buffaloes (87.3%), but lending work buffaloes to neighbors (79.0%) was also important. Other purposes were transport of goods (16.1%), buffalo trade (11.3%) and meat consumption(6.4%). Buffalo care required 6.2 ±3.00 working hours daily, while annual working time of abuffalo was 294 ±216.6 hours. The area ploughed with buffaloes remained constant during the past 10 years despite an expansion of land cropped per farm. Further rapid replacement of buffaloes by tractors is expected in the near future. While the work economy is drastically improved by the use of tractors, buffaloes still can provide cheap work force and serve as buffer for economic shocks on poorer farms. Especially poor farms, which lack alternative assets that could quickly be liquidizedin times of urgent need for cash, should not abandon buffalo keeping. Livestock has been found to be a major part of small mixed farms in NRNNR. The general productivity was low in both analyzed species, buffaloes and pigs. Productivity of pigs can be improved through basic adjustments in feeding, reproductive and hygienic management, and with external support pig production could further be commercialized to provide pork and weaners to local markets and fattening farms. Buffalo production is relatively time intensive, and only will be of importance in the future to very poor farms and such farms that cultivate very small terraces on steep slopes. These should be encouraged to further keep buffaloes. With such measures, livestock production in NRNNR has good chances to stay competitive in the future.

Swamp buffalo keeping – an out-dated farming activity? A case study in smallholder farming systems in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, PR China

Expansion of rubber tree plantations and agricultural mechanization caused a decline of swamp buffalo numbers in the Naban River National Nature Reserve (NRNNR), Yunnan Province, China. We analysed current use of buffaloes for field work and the recent development of the regional buffalo population, based on interviews with 184 farmers in 2007/2008 and discussions with 62 buffalo keepers in 2009. Three types of NRNNR farms were distinguished, differing mainly in altitude, area under rubber, and involvement in livestock husbandry. While pig based farms (PB; n=37) have abandoned buffalo keeping, 11% of the rubber based farms (RB; n=71) and 100% of the livestock-corn based farms (LB; n=76) kept buffaloes in 2008. Herd size was 2.5 +/-1.80 (n=84) buffaloes in early 2008 and 2.2 +/-1.69 (n=62) in 2009. Field work on own land was the main reason for keeping buffaloes (87.3 %), but lending work buffaloes to neighbours (79.0%) was also important. Other purposes were transport of goods (16.1%), buffalo trade (11.3%) and meat consumption (6.4%). Buffalo care required 6.2 +/-3.00 working hours daily, while annual working time of a buffalo was 294 +/-216.6 hours. The area ploughed with buffaloes remained constant during the past 10 years despite an expansion of land cropped per farm. Although further replacement of buffaloes by tractors occurs rapidly, buffaloes still provide cheap work force and buffer risks on poor NRNNR farms. Appropriate advice is needed for improved breeding management to increase the efficiency of buffalo husbandry and provide better opportunities for buffalo meat sale in the region.

Nos sensibilizamos ante las diferencias.

Se presenta experiencia educativa que propone concienciar al alumnado de la importancia de tener alguna discapacidad como estrategia de inclusión para el alumnado deficiente. Se realiza en el CEIP Fuente del Moral en Rute, Córdoba. Los objetivos son: informar al alumnado sobre las distintas deficiencias más comunes en los centros escolares; experimentar lo que conlleva padecer una deficiencia en todo lo relativo a las tareas escolares; conocer la dinámica del aula específica del centro, y las actividades que en ella se realizan; favorecer la integración del grupo de alumnos con deficiencia del centro; desarrollar actitudes de colaboración y ayuda ante las personas con deficiencia.

Enseñanza religiosa escolar : fundamentos y didáctica.

Se incluye un CD anexo que amplía contenidos

Evaluación de las necesidades educativas de las familias con hijos-as adolescentes en riesgo de abandono escolar.

a) Evaluar las necesidades de apoyo socio-educativo de las familias con hijos escolarizados en la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y en riesgo de abandono académico; b) Proponer orientaciones para la promoción de las relaciones entre las familias y los centros académicos. Se parte de as siguientes hipótesis: a) Las madres asumen en un mayor número de veces que los padres, las tareas relacionadas con la educación de sus hijos; b) Los padres y madres con hijos en riesgo de abandono escolar desarrollan estrategias con las que elevar la autoestima y autoconcepto de sus hijos; c) Cuanto mayor es el nivel de ingresos de la familia, mayor es la probabilidad de que los recursos educativos/culturales existentes en el hogar sean más y mejores; d) El alumnado en situación de fracaso escolar manifiesta un reducido hábito lector; e) Las expectativas educativas que los padres desarrollan con respecto a sus hijos se relacionan con sus propios niveles de estudios; f)La existencia de la televisión y ordenador en la habitación condiciona el surgimiento de altercados; g) Los padres con niveles educativos bajos ayudan en menor medida a sus hijos en las tareas de aprendizaje; h) Una de las formas de apoyo indirecto de los padres es proporcionar materiales de tipo educativo; i) Las familias con hijos en riesgo de abandono escolar tienen una buena concepción del profesorado. Tres centros educativos de titularidad pública del Principado de Asturias. Estos centros se seleccionan basándose en tres criterios: voluntariedad de participar en el estudio, ubicación en distintos contextos socioculturales y tener un porcentaje destacable de alumnado de la ESO en situación de riesgo de abandono escolar. El total de las familias participantes en el estudio es de 61 siendo los criterios de selección: a) Ubicación; b) Que tuviesen hijos cursando primero, segundo o tercero de ESO; c) Que sus hijos sean alumnos en situación de abandono escolar: bajos rendimientos educativos, alumnado absentista, problemas adaptativos y de comportamiento. La metodología de investigación adoptada es la no experimental o expost-facto. Para conseguir los objetivos propuestos se administra un cuestionario en forma de entrevista personal con cada una de las familias participantes en el estudio, no manipulando ni los contextos ni las personas. Se analiza la realidad (riesgo de abandono escolar) partiendo del estudio de sus diferentes manifestaciones. La manipulación de las variables independientes no se produce, tratando de encontrar argumentos o causas que expliquen el riesgo de abandono general a través de los comentarios de las familias. El procedimiento utilizado en la recogida de información es un cuestionario integrado por 67 variables clasificadas en cinco dimensiones, a saber: datos sociodemográficos, recursos culturales existentes en el hogar y/o el entorno, usos del tiempo libre, percepción que los padres tienen de su implicación en las actividades de aprendizaje de sus hijos y expectativas de los padres con respecto al futuro académico de su hijo. A su vez, cada una de estas categorías incluyen una serie de variables que concretan su expresión. Análisis de datos cuantitativos a través del programa estadístico SPSS en su versión 11.0: análisis descriptivos univariados, análisis de contingencia y análisis correlacionales y/o predictivos. Como complemento se realiza un análisis de contenido de los comentarios textuales aparecidos en las entrevistas. A) Las familias valoran altamente: la existencia en el domicilio de libros de consulta para sus hijos, la disponibilidad de ordenador y el abastecimiento de todo el material que sus hijos necesiten para el estudio. B) A la hora de implicarse en las actividades de aprendizaje de sus hijos, las familias demandan: asesoramiento profesional sobre métodos y habilidades con los que ayudar a sus hijos, más información sobre los progresos educativos y/o personales así como sobre los problemas de aprendizaje o comportamiento, conocer las etapas evolutivas de la adolescencia, tener mayor información sobre las actividades de aprendizaje y los exámenes desde el centro, conocer y dominar estrategias de comunicación para con sus hijos y necesidad de fomentar en sus hijos el hábito y gusto por la lectura. C) Las familias con hijos adolescentes en riesgo de abandono escolar no cesan en sus intentos por motivar y animar al joven a que se implique más en el estudio.

Terapia de conducta y depresión : un análisis experimental de los modelos conductual y cognitivo.

Estudio de la depresión realizando un análisis experimental comparativo de la eficacia terapéutica de dos técnicas de modificación conductual: reestructuración cognitiva inspirada en el modelo cognitivo de la depresión de Beck y entrenamiento conductual asertivo, inspirada en el modelo conductual de la depresión de Lewinsohn, así como las técnicas de modificación utilizadas en el tratamiento de los sujetos depresivos. Seleccion de 24 sujetos diagnosticados como depresivos neuróticos. Diseño experimental en el que se aplican a los sujetos tres tratamientos: uno de reestructuración cognitiva, otro conductual asertivo y otro de control farmacológico atendiendo a las variables: sexo, edad, estado, nivel cultural y profesión. Escala de ansiedad de Catel, atendiendo a tres niveles de análisis: pretratamiento, postratamiento y seguimiento. Cuestionario para la depresión autoaplicado de Beck (BDI). Cuestionario para la depresión autoaplicado de Zung (ZSDS). Escala de la depresión de Hamilton (HSD). Diseño factorial mixto 3 por 3, análisis estadísticos acordes a Winer y Keppel, análisis correlacional de las diversas variables dependientes, ANOVA. El tratamiento cognitivo y el conductual son eficaces en la reducción de la sintomatología clínica de los sujetos depresivos neuróticos como consecuencia inmediata del tipo de tratamiento utilizado. El análisis posterior de los datos presentados lleva a asumir la hipótesis de una mayor incidencia de los factores cognitivos en el mantenimiento y extinción de la conducta depresiva-nurótica. Reestructuración cognitiva como técnica de tratamiento de la conducta depresiva neurótica. Entrenamiento conductual asertivo como técnica de modificación de la conducta depresiva neurótica. Tratamiento farmacológico como forma de tratamiento de la conducta depresiva neurótica.

Composición factorial de la versión española de la Spence Children Anxiety Scale (SCAS).

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Predicci??n del rendimiento en matem??ticas : efecto de variables personales, socioeducativas y del contexto escolar

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Valoraci??n de la difusi??n en doce revistas de educaci??n en espa??ol : an??lisis del factor de impacto y otros ??ndices bibliom??tricos

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n

Criterios, indicadores y est??ndares para la acreditaci??n de profesores titulares y catedr??ticos de universidad

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n. Resumen tambi??n en ingl??s

El Reversal Test y la Ficha de Observaci??n de G. Yoakam en la determinaci??n de la madurez para la lectura

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n

Evaluaci??n de la calidad universitaria : validez de contenido

Resumen de los autores. Res??menes en espa??ol e ingl??s

Asturias 2006 : de la educaci??n ambiental a la educaci??n para el desarrollo sostenible

Se pretende contribuir a la llamada de atenci??n a instituciones, agentes sociales y asociaciones de todo tipo presentes en Asturias sobre la necesidad de revisar y poner al d??a los conocimientos y actuaciones pr??cticas en materia de educaci??n ambiental. El concepto y los planteamientos metodol??gicos de la educaci??n ambiental han evolucionado a medida que ha ido evolucionando el concepto mismo de medio ambiente y se ha profundizado en el conocimiento de los efectos negativos que sobre ??l ejercen los comportamientos de las sociedades humanas. Se analiza este proceso de cambio. Actualmente se acepta que la causa de la problem??tica ambiental reside en una combinaci??n de factores econ??micos, pol??ticos, sociales y culturales. En consecuencia, las soluciones, no pueden buscarse exclusivamente en aplicaciones cient??ficas y tecnol??gicas sino en la modificaci??n de nuestra escala de valores y de nuestros comportamientos en relaci??n al medio natural y social en que vivimos. Se exponen, siguiendo el esquema de S. Breiting, algunos de los cambios de planteamiento que los autores consideran caracter??sticos de las nuevas tendencias que definen la educaci??n para la sostenibilidad. Finalmente, se realizan una serie de propuestas de actuaci??n en materia de Educaci??n para el desarrollo sostenible en Asturias en los siguientes apartados: 1) Estrategia Asturiana de Educaci??n Ambiental. 2) Participaci??n ciudadana. 3) Actividades educativas desde ONGs, fundaciones, entidades p??blicas y privadas. 4) Campa??as educativas organizadas desde la administraci??n del Principado de Asturias. 5) Materiales did??cticos y publicaciones editadas por el Principado de Asturias. 6) Formaci??n del Profesorado. 7) Auditor??a Ambiental Escolar. 8) Nuevas tecnolog??as de comunicaci??n e informaci??n. 9) Convocatorias internacionales, propuestas mundiales y declaraciones de la UNESCO. 10) Voluntariado ambiental. 11) Mass media asturianos: informaci??n y comunicaci??n ambiental.

Una investigació educativa sobre un programa de competència familiar. 'Una investigación educativa sobre un programa de competencia familiar'.

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Formar en temps líquids : construir equip fent projecte comú. 'Formar en tiempos líquidos : construir equipo haciendo proyecto común'.

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