Constraints facing goat-keepers and ways of addressing them through a participatory aaproach: some experiences from semi-arid India

This document is a progress report on a joint BAIF Development Research Foundation (India)/NRI (National Resources Institute, UK) applied research project that has been seeking to identify and address feed-related constraints affecting goat production in semi-arid India. It summarises the work done and the progress made in Bhilwara, Udaipur (both in Rajastan) and Bhanagar (in Gujarat) from 1997- 99. The three-year project continued until 2000, and was funded by the Livestock Production Programme of DFID (Department for International Development, UK). The project took on a participatory approach to the development of feed technologies for goats, in order to enrich the experience of PTD (Participatory Technology Development) in the livestock sector and to develop participatory methodologies that are appropriate to the sector. The objectives of the project were: a better understanding of farmersÆ current feeding and production systems for goats, and the rationale for them; the development of a set of recommendations for improving local feed resources and feed management strategies; the development of participatory methodologies for the analysis of feed resources and constraints, and for the testing of interventions; and dissemination of the projectÆs findings and recommendations on feed resources and strategies, and participatory methodologies. This report details the success of the project to meet the objectives thus far. It looks specifically at results from feed supplementation trials; solutions to seasonal water scarcity; participatory methodology; capacity development; and dissemination of project findings. It is concluded that the project has made major progress with all four objectives.