The economic turmoil in South-east Asia has had catastrophic effects on the agriculture of the region and has led to widespread famine. Intensive animal production systems have suffered worst because of their almost total reliance on expensive imports of feedstocks. Small integrated farms have fared better, and they should be seen as the model for the agricultural production of the future. Research should be aimed at the support of small farmers, and their use of local feed resources, as well as animals and production systems suited to the locality.
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