Building SI on a Rock: Is a Systems Perspective Essential for Integrated Crop Livestock Systems?
Peter Thorne1 and Sieglinde Snapp2
1International Livestock Research Institute,2Michigan State University (MSU)
2019 ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting 
12 November 2019, San Antonio, Texas, USA 


What is Sustainable Intensification?
[Sustainable Intensification is occurring when] yields are increased without adverse environmental impact and without the cultivation of more land ]
Reaping the benefits: Science and the sustainable intensification of global agriculture. Royal Society, 2009
How can we “measure” SI?
Intensification: Output : Input
	e.g. grain yield: quantity produced / unit area

Sustainability: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations (Brundtland Commission, 1987)

Multi-dimensional: Environment, Economic, Human, Social, Production (SI Assessment Framework).
Component research vs. systems research
Component research solution
Systems research solution
Doubled up legume: GRAIN for food & income, BIOMASS for fodder, fuelwood & fertility for the soil
SI Systems gradient, intermediate multipurpose ‘doubled up legume’ rotation provides farmer-approved solution.
Indicators of Sustainable Intensification 
27 indicators quantified across 5 sustainability domains from 880 household interviews
Indicators re-scaled according to locally defined thresholds
Medians and IQRs plotted, allowing for disaggregated analysis (see figure)
Indicators can be aggregated across domains
Households can be aggregated, for example along a spectrum of agricultural intensification (production per unit of land and per unit of livestock).
Indicators along an intensification gradient
Thank You