Mixed Farming Systems in the tropics, a CGIAR Initiative in 5 countries. Challenges and Collaboration in Laos
This Initiative addresses the Sustainable intensification (SI) of Mixed farming systems (MFS). By SI, we mean the production of more food on the same piece of land while reducing the negative environmental impact. MFS cover about 2.5 billion ha of land globally. In the developing world, MFS supply around 75% of milk, 60% of meat, and 41–86% of cereals consumed. These farming systems occur in nearly all agro-ecological zones, with an enormous variety of climatic and soil conditions and livelihood patterns. In SEast Asia the initiative is working in Bangladesh, Nepal and Laos.