Coupling Plant and Animal Production Systems for Poverty Alleviation in Cholistan (Pakistan) and Rajasthan (India)

Aiming at increasing the income opportunities of the rural poor, this project sets up the basis for future PhD research projects to (i) understand land use patterns by both groups in a representative (yet to define) sample area of the two states, (ii) define options for enhanced synergies between both land use systems (targeted use of animal manure in irrigated gardening), and (iii) foster value addition to primary agricultural products (the drying of dates and other fruits, the direct marketing of certified vegetables, the conversion of milk into cheese).

This project aims at fostering value addition to primary agricultural products (drying of dates and other fruits, the direct marketing of certified vegetables, directly converting the milk into cheese) in order to enhance the income level of poor rural households and their welfare.