rather than only in the testing of technologies
CASE 1: Towards Participatory Research in Sheep Production Systems
Goal:
Improving farmers' income on a sustainable basis
Problem diagnosis:
The core problem identified with farmers was low income; as a consequence of low sheep productivity, there is limited surplus for sale.
Farmers have listed many causes for low productivity. These were classified into four sorts of effects: genetic, health care, nutrition, and management.
ICARDA researchers in a jointly effort with farmers analyzed and prioritized the causes. Feed related concerns were identified as the major reason for low farmers' income, and an agreement was reached to start working on the nutrition aspect of sheep production systems.
Objective:
To introduce more efficient methods of feeding sheep at critical times in order to increase the revenue of keeping sheep in dry areas.
Output:
|
•
|
To gain practical experience about implementing
a participatory research with sheep farmers in Syria, exploring
the difficulties and potential solutions
|
|
•
|
To convince farmers and extension agents in a practical
way that their agriculture could be improved by working closely
with researchers
|
|
•
|
To find out the root causes of problems by working
hand in hand with farmers and fully understanding the reasons for
their current methods
|
|
•
|
To achieve better productivity, more income, and
extra-healthy food
|
|
•
|
To improve farmers' ability to solve their own problems
|
|
•
|
To examine possibilities of spreading technologies
through farmers
|
Activities:
Conducting sheep feeding experiment at late pregnancy stage; comparing the economics of sheep productivity under traditional feeding system vs. suggested method which is based on sheep's needs and Metabolizable Energy System at late pregnancy stage. (MAAF, UK, 1984). Four farmers were selected to form a focus group. Their flocks are under experiment, each one was divided into two groups.
The way of managing the research was discussed and agreed on by farmers; the responsibilities of monitoring and evaluating the activities were shared with researchers.
Measurements under monitoring:
|
•
|
Lamb birth weight
|
|
•
|
Lamb growth rate
|
|
•
|
Lamb weaning weight
|
|
•
|
Milk production
|
|
•
|
Body reserve changes in ewes
|
|
•
|
Feed quality, quantity, cost and revenue.
|
Time table: Starting October 2002, ending December 2003.
