Theoretical and practical considerations in the development of a methodological framework for evaluating sustainability of low-input ruminant farming systems in developing countries

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Authors

Marandure, Tawanda
Bennett, James
Dzama, Kennedy
Makombe, Godswill
Mapiye, Cletos

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

The sustainability of low-input ruminant farming systems remains poorly understood and evaluation frameworks that adequately capture their complexity are lacking. The multiple goals of producers, multipurpose roles of ruminants, credence goods and services of the system are omitted in existing frameworks. In that context, development of a novel comprehensive framework for evaluating the sustainability of the low-put ruminant farming system is important. The current manuscript, therefore, provides an overview of a systemic process for developing a participatory and interdisciplinary methodological framework to measure sustainability of the low-input ruminant farming system. The proposed framework provides guidance on potentially relevant variables and their subcomponents, and for designing appropriate data collection tools, conducting field measurements and analysing results. The suggested framework captures the complex interrelationships within and between dimensions and indicators of sustainability and apply a system dynamics approach to integrate the indicators into an overall measure of the sustainability of a system.

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Keywords

Low-input ruminant farming, Sustainability evaluation, Multifunctional roles, Credence goods and services, System dynamics approach

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Marandure, T., Dzama, K., Bennett, J. et al. 2020, 'Theoretical and practical considerations in the development of a methodological framework for evaluating sustainability of low-input ruminant farming systems in developing countries', Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, vol. 8, art. 100058.