Ilse Köhler-Rollefson - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Ilse Köhler-Rollefson
A Field Manual of Camel Diseases, 2001
A Field Manual of Camel Diseases, 2001
A Field Manual of Camel Diseases, 2001
GTZ, Eschborn, 2000
Domestic animal diversity in developing countries is embedded in traditional farming and pastoral... more Domestic animal diversity in developing countries is embedded in traditional farming and pastoral communities who manage their livestock according to their indigenous knowledge (IK) and in tune with local ecological constraints. Especially in marginal environments, local livestock breeds are crucial for sustaining rural livelihoods by producing a wide range of products while requiring relatively low levels of input with regard to fodder, management and health care. Thus their maintenance is ecologically more sustainable and they entail a lower work load for women in comparison with improved breeds. However, economic forces of globalization as well as political backing for crossbreeding with exotic breeds, among other factors, have already resulted in the disappearance of a large number of these breeds and many more are threatened. Maintenance of the remaining livestock genetic diversity as mandated by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requires a wide range of general policy changes as well as specific initiatives. Activities that can be carried out within the framework of technical cooperation include, at grassroots level, support for research into IK and NGO capacity building and, at the national level, a reorientation from crossbreeding with exotic breeds to the development of local breeds by selection, the training of relevant agencies in participatory techniques, consideration of local livestock in land use and regional development planning, as well as the creation of a positive marketing environment. At an international level, a scrutiny of subsidies and support for crossbreeding is called for and intellectual property protection must be extended to farming and pastoral societies that have created unique breeds. Box 1: Domesticated animal diversity is composed of diversity at the species and breed level. At the species level, there are just over 40 species that are used for agriculture, with 90% of the products contributed by only 14 species. These domesticated species have been diversified by human manipulation into an estimated 4000 breeds. The term "breed" is difficult to define, but most often understood as "a group of domestic livestock with definable and identifiable external characteristics that distinguish it from other groups within the same species." "It is the combination of rural peoples' knowledge of their environment and the way that they manage their livestock that maintains domestic animal diversity, not just the keeping of animals per se." (ITDG, 1996).
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imp... more The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO. ISBN 978-92-5-107307-0 All rights reserved. FAO encourages reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Non-commercial uses will be authorized free of charge, upon request. Reproduction for resale or other commercial
Animal Genetic Resources Information, 1992
SUMMARYThis artiele traces the evolution of one-humped camel {C. dromedarius) breeds in India and... more SUMMARYThis artiele traces the evolution of one-humped camel {C. dromedarius) breeds in India and describes the social and historical factors that contributed to their formation. In India a number of distinct breeds developed from the breeding herds maintained by the Maharajahs of Rajputana for supplying camels for desert warfare. After a summary of the literature, details are provided on the characteristics and historical background of the individual breeds or types. The threats to the continued existence of these breeds and their genetic diversity are also evaluated.
Sustainability, 2021
The Indian forest management system introduced during colonial times has led to the progressive l... more The Indian forest management system introduced during colonial times has led to the progressive loss of the grazing rights of the country’s pastoralists, culminating in the abolishment of grazing fees and replacement with grazing fines in 2004. This scenario has had a negative knock-on effect on the conservation of many of the livestock breeds that pastoralists have developed in adaptation to local environments and that are the basis of the country’s food security. This paper illustrates the dilemma with the example of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Rajasthan that represents the traditional monsoon grazing area for local camel, sheep and goat pastoralists. Raika herders have engaged in a long-standing but losing legal battle with the state for their continued seasonal access to this area. This situation contributes to the rapid decline of the camel which is an iconic part of Rajasthan’s desert identity, a major attraction for tourists and was declared state animal in 20...
Science, 1988
'Ain Ghazal, an archeological site located on the outskir... more 'Ain Ghazal, an archeological site located on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan, is one of the largest early villages known in the Near East. The site dates to the Neolithic period, during which mankind made one of its most significant advances, the adoption of domestic plants and animals as primary subsistence sources. Recent excavations at 'Ain Ghazal have augmented considerably current knowledge of several aspects of the Neolithic. Of particular interest has been the documentation of a continuous, or near continuous, occupation from early through late Neolithic components, and a concomitant dramatic economic shift. This shift was from a broad subsistence base relying on a variety of both wild and domestic plants and animals, to an economic strategy reflecting an apparent emphasis on pastoralism.
Pastoralism: Making Variability Work, 2021
After almost a century of interventions, poor understanding of pastoralism remains the most frequ... more After almost a century of interventions, poor understanding of pastoralism remains the most frequent cause of setbacks in pastoral development, often resulting in maladaptive practices that generate further misunderstanding in a vicious cycle. Acknowledging this weakness is a necessary first step that is routinely overlooked when practitioners leap into action. However, for a true understanding of pastoralism it is essential to be able to distinguish the features and practices that reflect its specializations from the effects of ill-informed policies and interventions, and pastoralists’ adaptation or maladaptation to them. This paper aims to engage FAO in the mainstreaming of pastoralism and present an evidence-based narrative on pastoralism for a specialist audience.
Comprehensive documentation of existing livestock breeds is a prerequisite for measures aimed at ... more Comprehensive documentation of existing livestock breeds is a prerequisite for measures aimed at the sustainable use and conservation of domestic animal diversity. Appropriate conservation policies can only be developed, if the social, cultural and production contexts of livestock breeds are fully understood. Conventional documentation methods focus on population, phenotypic and production characteristics, and are based mostly on quantitative data and measurements. By looking at a breed from an outsider’s or scientist’s perspective they neglect to consider the priorities and concepts of its keepers and do not grasp the livelihood contribution of a breed that goes beyond production of quantifiable outputs. The resulting information therefore does not reflect the situation from the perspective of the farmer for whom cash products are often of secondary importance. Especially in marginal and remote areas, breeds generate an array of benefits that are more difficult to grasp and quantif...
... Author Ilse Köhler-Rollefson Editing and layout Paul Mundy, Bergisch Gladbach, www.mamud.com ... more ... Author Ilse Köhler-Rollefson Editing and layout Paul Mundy, Bergisch Gladbach, www.mamud.com Cover A herd of camels and goats in southern Somalia. ... Examples are Nguni cattle, Lesotho pony, Tswana sheep, and Boer goat. Background Page 10. 9 Background ...
"Marginal areas" are perceived as difficult and unproductive landscapes, always under the threat ... more "Marginal areas" are perceived as difficult and unproductive landscapes, always under the threat of drought, desertification and poverty. Yet, both dryland and high altitude marginal areas have an extraordinary output of livestock products; in the efficiency of producing human-edible protein they far surpass more fertile areas. This productivity under adverse climatic conditions rests on sophisticated strategies and social institutions developed by pastoral communities to deal with variability in the availability of resources. It depends on the use of animal genetic resources that are adapted to make best use of local vegetation and can cope with seasonal variations in availability. Livestock production in marginal areas is based on the principle of opportunistic and optimal use of available resources; it differs fundamentally from the principles of mainstream animal science in which everything is measurable and predictable. The first requisite for ecologically and socially sustainable livestock development in marginal areas is recognition of this fact. Secondly, interventions should focus on enhancing the opportunistic use of resources whose availability is unpredictable. Building on this principle, further essential policy measures include support for mobility and modern communication, securing the commons, payment for environmental services as well as value addition and dedicated marketing channels for the high quality livestock products generated. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides the legal framework for such an approach and Biocultural Community Protocols as mandated by the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing are an important first step towards leveraging such supportive measures.
Current Anthropology, 1993
ABSTRACT
Natural History, 1995
Les Raikas du Rajasthan, caste hindoue reconnue pour son elevage de chameaux, connaissent des dif... more Les Raikas du Rajasthan, caste hindoue reconnue pour son elevage de chameaux, connaissent des difficultes dues a la reduction des terres de pâturage. Si le chameau a ete une revolution dans les moyens de transport ces quarante dernieres annees, il faut aujourd'hui chercher d'autres orientations. Des tabous genent cependant l'evolution : les Raikas se refusent a vendre la viande, le lait et tout ce qui touche le chameau, animal plus qu'utilitaire, element essentiel lors des mariages, et que l'eleveur sait soigner
Background The FAO (FAO, 1999; FAO/UNEP, 1995) is alerting the global community to the alarming f... more Background The FAO (FAO, 1999; FAO/UNEP, 1995) is alerting the global community to the alarming figures in respect to domestic animal diversity. It estimates that about one third of the world's recognized 5000 livestock and poultry breeds are endangered and that breeds become extinct at the rate of one per week. Nevertheless, the subject has received much less attention than plant genetic diversity and hardly any awareness appears to exist about the problem of animal genetic resource erosion among either donor agencies or among NGOs and groups at the grassroots level. Contrary to the situation with plant genetic resources, approaches for participatory conservation are lacking, although the majority of the threatened Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) are vested with traditional pastoralist and farmer communities. Domestic animal diversity is an outcome of these very diverse ethnic and social groups managing domesticated animal populations in a wide variety of habitats and manipulat...
Women manage livestock diversity This publication presents an analysis of women’s role in the sus... more Women manage livestock diversity This publication presents an analysis of women’s role in the sustainable use, development and conservation of animal genetic resources. The importance of small-scale famers and pastoralists as custodians of these resources is well recognized, but has never previously been disaggregated by gender. The differential roles of men and women have largely been neglected in studies of animal genetic resources management, but by piecing together several strands of argument and indirect evidence it can be concluded that women are the main guardians of livestock diversity.
A Field Manual of Camel Diseases, 2001
A Field Manual of Camel Diseases, 2001
A Field Manual of Camel Diseases, 2001
GTZ, Eschborn, 2000
Domestic animal diversity in developing countries is embedded in traditional farming and pastoral... more Domestic animal diversity in developing countries is embedded in traditional farming and pastoral communities who manage their livestock according to their indigenous knowledge (IK) and in tune with local ecological constraints. Especially in marginal environments, local livestock breeds are crucial for sustaining rural livelihoods by producing a wide range of products while requiring relatively low levels of input with regard to fodder, management and health care. Thus their maintenance is ecologically more sustainable and they entail a lower work load for women in comparison with improved breeds. However, economic forces of globalization as well as political backing for crossbreeding with exotic breeds, among other factors, have already resulted in the disappearance of a large number of these breeds and many more are threatened. Maintenance of the remaining livestock genetic diversity as mandated by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requires a wide range of general policy changes as well as specific initiatives. Activities that can be carried out within the framework of technical cooperation include, at grassroots level, support for research into IK and NGO capacity building and, at the national level, a reorientation from crossbreeding with exotic breeds to the development of local breeds by selection, the training of relevant agencies in participatory techniques, consideration of local livestock in land use and regional development planning, as well as the creation of a positive marketing environment. At an international level, a scrutiny of subsidies and support for crossbreeding is called for and intellectual property protection must be extended to farming and pastoral societies that have created unique breeds. Box 1: Domesticated animal diversity is composed of diversity at the species and breed level. At the species level, there are just over 40 species that are used for agriculture, with 90% of the products contributed by only 14 species. These domesticated species have been diversified by human manipulation into an estimated 4000 breeds. The term "breed" is difficult to define, but most often understood as "a group of domestic livestock with definable and identifiable external characteristics that distinguish it from other groups within the same species." "It is the combination of rural peoples' knowledge of their environment and the way that they manage their livestock that maintains domestic animal diversity, not just the keeping of animals per se." (ITDG, 1996).
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imp... more The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO. ISBN 978-92-5-107307-0 All rights reserved. FAO encourages reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Non-commercial uses will be authorized free of charge, upon request. Reproduction for resale or other commercial
Animal Genetic Resources Information, 1992
SUMMARYThis artiele traces the evolution of one-humped camel {C. dromedarius) breeds in India and... more SUMMARYThis artiele traces the evolution of one-humped camel {C. dromedarius) breeds in India and describes the social and historical factors that contributed to their formation. In India a number of distinct breeds developed from the breeding herds maintained by the Maharajahs of Rajputana for supplying camels for desert warfare. After a summary of the literature, details are provided on the characteristics and historical background of the individual breeds or types. The threats to the continued existence of these breeds and their genetic diversity are also evaluated.
Sustainability, 2021
The Indian forest management system introduced during colonial times has led to the progressive l... more The Indian forest management system introduced during colonial times has led to the progressive loss of the grazing rights of the country’s pastoralists, culminating in the abolishment of grazing fees and replacement with grazing fines in 2004. This scenario has had a negative knock-on effect on the conservation of many of the livestock breeds that pastoralists have developed in adaptation to local environments and that are the basis of the country’s food security. This paper illustrates the dilemma with the example of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Rajasthan that represents the traditional monsoon grazing area for local camel, sheep and goat pastoralists. Raika herders have engaged in a long-standing but losing legal battle with the state for their continued seasonal access to this area. This situation contributes to the rapid decline of the camel which is an iconic part of Rajasthan’s desert identity, a major attraction for tourists and was declared state animal in 20...
Science, 1988
'Ain Ghazal, an archeological site located on the outskir... more 'Ain Ghazal, an archeological site located on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan, is one of the largest early villages known in the Near East. The site dates to the Neolithic period, during which mankind made one of its most significant advances, the adoption of domestic plants and animals as primary subsistence sources. Recent excavations at 'Ain Ghazal have augmented considerably current knowledge of several aspects of the Neolithic. Of particular interest has been the documentation of a continuous, or near continuous, occupation from early through late Neolithic components, and a concomitant dramatic economic shift. This shift was from a broad subsistence base relying on a variety of both wild and domestic plants and animals, to an economic strategy reflecting an apparent emphasis on pastoralism.
Pastoralism: Making Variability Work, 2021
After almost a century of interventions, poor understanding of pastoralism remains the most frequ... more After almost a century of interventions, poor understanding of pastoralism remains the most frequent cause of setbacks in pastoral development, often resulting in maladaptive practices that generate further misunderstanding in a vicious cycle. Acknowledging this weakness is a necessary first step that is routinely overlooked when practitioners leap into action. However, for a true understanding of pastoralism it is essential to be able to distinguish the features and practices that reflect its specializations from the effects of ill-informed policies and interventions, and pastoralists’ adaptation or maladaptation to them. This paper aims to engage FAO in the mainstreaming of pastoralism and present an evidence-based narrative on pastoralism for a specialist audience.
Comprehensive documentation of existing livestock breeds is a prerequisite for measures aimed at ... more Comprehensive documentation of existing livestock breeds is a prerequisite for measures aimed at the sustainable use and conservation of domestic animal diversity. Appropriate conservation policies can only be developed, if the social, cultural and production contexts of livestock breeds are fully understood. Conventional documentation methods focus on population, phenotypic and production characteristics, and are based mostly on quantitative data and measurements. By looking at a breed from an outsider’s or scientist’s perspective they neglect to consider the priorities and concepts of its keepers and do not grasp the livelihood contribution of a breed that goes beyond production of quantifiable outputs. The resulting information therefore does not reflect the situation from the perspective of the farmer for whom cash products are often of secondary importance. Especially in marginal and remote areas, breeds generate an array of benefits that are more difficult to grasp and quantif...
... Author Ilse Köhler-Rollefson Editing and layout Paul Mundy, Bergisch Gladbach, www.mamud.com ... more ... Author Ilse Köhler-Rollefson Editing and layout Paul Mundy, Bergisch Gladbach, www.mamud.com Cover A herd of camels and goats in southern Somalia. ... Examples are Nguni cattle, Lesotho pony, Tswana sheep, and Boer goat. Background Page 10. 9 Background ...
"Marginal areas" are perceived as difficult and unproductive landscapes, always under the threat ... more "Marginal areas" are perceived as difficult and unproductive landscapes, always under the threat of drought, desertification and poverty. Yet, both dryland and high altitude marginal areas have an extraordinary output of livestock products; in the efficiency of producing human-edible protein they far surpass more fertile areas. This productivity under adverse climatic conditions rests on sophisticated strategies and social institutions developed by pastoral communities to deal with variability in the availability of resources. It depends on the use of animal genetic resources that are adapted to make best use of local vegetation and can cope with seasonal variations in availability. Livestock production in marginal areas is based on the principle of opportunistic and optimal use of available resources; it differs fundamentally from the principles of mainstream animal science in which everything is measurable and predictable. The first requisite for ecologically and socially sustainable livestock development in marginal areas is recognition of this fact. Secondly, interventions should focus on enhancing the opportunistic use of resources whose availability is unpredictable. Building on this principle, further essential policy measures include support for mobility and modern communication, securing the commons, payment for environmental services as well as value addition and dedicated marketing channels for the high quality livestock products generated. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides the legal framework for such an approach and Biocultural Community Protocols as mandated by the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing are an important first step towards leveraging such supportive measures.
Current Anthropology, 1993
ABSTRACT
Natural History, 1995
Les Raikas du Rajasthan, caste hindoue reconnue pour son elevage de chameaux, connaissent des dif... more Les Raikas du Rajasthan, caste hindoue reconnue pour son elevage de chameaux, connaissent des difficultes dues a la reduction des terres de pâturage. Si le chameau a ete une revolution dans les moyens de transport ces quarante dernieres annees, il faut aujourd'hui chercher d'autres orientations. Des tabous genent cependant l'evolution : les Raikas se refusent a vendre la viande, le lait et tout ce qui touche le chameau, animal plus qu'utilitaire, element essentiel lors des mariages, et que l'eleveur sait soigner
Background The FAO (FAO, 1999; FAO/UNEP, 1995) is alerting the global community to the alarming f... more Background The FAO (FAO, 1999; FAO/UNEP, 1995) is alerting the global community to the alarming figures in respect to domestic animal diversity. It estimates that about one third of the world's recognized 5000 livestock and poultry breeds are endangered and that breeds become extinct at the rate of one per week. Nevertheless, the subject has received much less attention than plant genetic diversity and hardly any awareness appears to exist about the problem of animal genetic resource erosion among either donor agencies or among NGOs and groups at the grassroots level. Contrary to the situation with plant genetic resources, approaches for participatory conservation are lacking, although the majority of the threatened Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) are vested with traditional pastoralist and farmer communities. Domestic animal diversity is an outcome of these very diverse ethnic and social groups managing domesticated animal populations in a wide variety of habitats and manipulat...
Women manage livestock diversity This publication presents an analysis of women’s role in the sus... more Women manage livestock diversity This publication presents an analysis of women’s role in the sustainable use, development and conservation of animal genetic resources. The importance of small-scale famers and pastoralists as custodians of these resources is well recognized, but has never previously been disaggregated by gender. The differential roles of men and women have largely been neglected in studies of animal genetic resources management, but by piecing together several strands of argument and indirect evidence it can be concluded that women are the main guardians of livestock diversity.