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In the world of farming, a focus on measurable outputs such as yield, input efficiency, and profit has become the norm in Western agriculture. However, this narrow perspective can overlook the broader ecological and systemic benefits of agricultural practices, particularly the role of ruminants.
Two-thirds of the world's farmland is under pasture, a fact that underscores the importance of ruminants in farming systems worldwide. These animals, such as cows, play a crucial role in nurturing ground cover, converting cellulose into nutrient-dense products, and encouraging biodiversity.
In contrast, many farming practices in Asia and Southeast Asia integrate ruminants into mixed agro-ecosystems. These systems, which account for about half of the world's land, support a population of over 200 million people raising livestock in pastoral and agro-pastoral systems.
In these regions, ruminants provide essential services like nutrient recycling through manure, supporting agro-pastoral systems that blend crops and livestock, and offering ecosystem services like weed control and soil aeration. These systems produce a more balanced, sustainable agriculture that supports soil fertility, reduces chemical inputs, and aligns with local ecological conditions.
The West, however, tends to overlook these benefits. The emphasis on measurable outputs often leads to intensive monoculture cropping with synthetic fertilizers and minimized livestock integration. This approach can miss the sustainable benefits ruminants provide.
The negative view of ruminants in the West is partly due to the FAO report "Livestock's Long Shadow" and articles about farming and climate change that often feature a picture of a cow grazing in a field. However, experiences from Asia and Southeast Asia illustrate the value of ruminants not only as meat or milk producers but as vital components sustaining soil health, reducing chemical reliance, and maintaining agro-ecosystem resilience.
This differing emphasis partly stems from Western agriculture’s historical trajectory toward large-scale industrialization and mechanization, while many Asian systems evolved as smaller-scale, more diversified farm systems that emphasize ecological balance over maximized single outputs.
In Thailand, for example, over 3,500 known varieties of rice have become the centre of Thai culture. In northern India, straw is primarily used as feed for cattle and converted into manure, reducing air pollution. In South East Asia, rice has a value beyond its nutritional content, as reflected in the Cambodian proverb "The Cambodians grow the rice, the Vietnamese sell the rice but the Laotians listen to the rice growing."
Even in ancient times, the importance of ruminants was recognized. Virgil, in his "Georgics" written in 69 BC, recognized the importance of dung in feeding crops and of sheep in eating down lush cereals.
In the modern context, initiatives like the Pasture for Life in the UK, co-founded by John Meadley, are working towards a more sustainable future for farming, emphasizing the holistic management of pastures and the crucial role of ruminants. In India, the state of Andra Pradesh, with a population similar to England, is transitioning to Community Managed Natural Farming, a method that relies on the natural growth of crops without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, with the cow being central to this farming system.
In conclusion, the West can learn from the experiences of Asia and Southeast Asia in valuing the multifunctional roles of ruminants. These animals are not just meat or milk producers but vital components sustaining soil health, reducing chemical reliance, and maintaining agro-ecosystem resilience. By embracing a more holistic approach to farming, we can move towards a more sustainable future, as Jimmy from Pasture for Life so aptly put it, "We are part of a hopeful future."
[1] Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions. [5] Ibarra-Howell, D. (2016). Savory Institute Annual Report. Retrieved from https://savory.global/annual-report/
- Agroecology, with its focus on ecosystem services and sustainability, could benefit greatly from integrating ruminants into farming systems, as demonstrated in Asia and Southeast Asia.
- A balanced and sustainable diet involves appreciating the role of ruminants in producing nutrient-dense foods, as well as their contributions to soil health and biodiversity.
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- In the ever-evolving landscape of self-development and personal growth, understanding the ecosystem services provided by ruminants, such as nutrient recycling, can foster a sense of connection to the natural world and inspire responsible lifestyle choices.
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