ILRI Market Opportunities Theme: Outputs

Integrating improved goat breeds with new varieties of sweet potatoes and cassava in the agro-pastoral systems of Tanzania: A gendered analysis

Integrating improved goat breeds with new varieties of sweet potatoes and cassava in the agro-pastoral systems of Tanzania: A gendered analysis Saghir, P.; Njuki, J.; Waithanji, E; Kariuki, J.; Sikira, A. This paper focuses on analysing gender issues in livestock and root crop production. Qualitative data for the study was collected through gender disaggregated group discussions (GDs) in two districts, Mvomero and Kongwa in Tanzania. Data were collected from 4 communities representing the four villages—Wami Luhindo and Kunke in Mvomero, and Masinyeti and Ihanda in Kongwa respectively. A total of 12 GDs were conducted involving 224 men and women who participated in the GDs. The qualitative data were analysed descriptively and by using measures such as percentages, tables, pie, bar charts and Venn diagrams. The study found that men owned all the goats and made all goat related decisions unilaterally. Women were by far less likely than men to own not only goats, but also livestock in general. On management of goats, an important set of differences in activities is associated with gender as well as with age. Changing livelihood opportunities such as rural–urban migration were identified as a factor that influenced gender and goat management and this increases workload for women. On decision-making over goats, women have limited control over decisions on sale and use of incomes generated from sale of goats. Ownership of crops between men and women is quite distinct, and depends on the market prices of crops and yield of the crop they grow for cash. Men own cash crops or crops for cash whereas women own subsistence or food crops for home consumption. Wealth status had a direct relation with individual decision-making on crops, rich men and women decided on what crops to cultivate, whereas non-rich farmers worked on wealthy farmers’ farms as casual labourers. Perceptions of women and men on the potential benefits of integrating root crops and goat varied. Men perceived value addition resulting from owning dairy goats and the attendant increase in income for them whereas women perceived change in status quo and increase workload resulting from stall goat management activities. Some participants explained that the anticipated increase in men’s real income could come about either through men accessing women’s income, or more commonly, women using their earnings to substitute men’s expenditure on household needs and children’s education. The study concluded that there are gender differences on perceived potential of integrating root crops and dairy goat production, as prevailing tradition may limit women’s participation. The beneficiaries expressed the timeliness of CGP project and exhibited willingness to partake in the project and ensure equitable benefits for participants if participatory gender training and awareness is ensured at both the household and community level. The study recommended that investing in rigorous gender trainings for both women and men, to initially sensitize them on the importance of including both women and men in development projects and sustain their continued understanding of the importance of gender inclusive activities.

Rice value chain development in Fogera woreda based on the IPMS experience

Rice value chain development in Fogera woreda based on the IPMS experience Gebey, T.; Berhe, K.; Hoekstra, D.; Bogale, A. Rice was a staple food crop for more than half of the world’s population. The Asian rice, Oryza sativa and African rice O. glaberrima were the two most cultivated species. The discovery of wild rice in the Fogera plain in the early 1970s was the basis for rice introduction in the woreda as well as in the Amhara region. In the early 1980s through the technical support of North Korean experts, rice cultivation in the seasonally flooded plains started as a pilot in Jigna and Shaga cooperatives in Dera and Fogera woredas, respectively. By 2004, through various development activities, the rice production area had increased to about 6000 hectares. In the rapid rural appraisal conducted by IPMS and various stakeholders in 2004/05, farmers in seasonally flooded areas wanted to increase their rice acreage by addressing bottlenecks in the value chain, in particular excessive weed growth. At the same time farmers in the upland areas were also interested in introducing rice into their farming system. During the intervention period, the price of rice tripled, which further stimulated the interest in rice production. In 2010, the rice area had increased to around 15,500 ha, of which over 5000 ha was in the uplands. This increase has also contributed significantly to employment opportunities for weeding due to area expansion and increased weeding intensity. Project efforts concentrated on the testing/introduction of upland varieties New Rice for Africa (NERICA) and its seed system to complement the already existing X-Jigna variety, commonly used in Fogera. While seed multiplication has been started, further development of the upland varieties in Fogera should be carefully monitored. Data clearly indicated that most farmers have used the X-Jigna variety to expand rice into in the upland system, probably because of better yield potential, especially at times and locations when/where water availability was not limited. Following the increase in rice production, private traders and processors responded by increasing their capacity in terms of number of grinding mills. It was observed that now over 70% of the rice produced was sold as white rice outside the woreda. As a result of this, many processing/marketing challenges need to be addressed. First of all, the issue of grain breakage during processing has to be tackled to improve quality—this issue, was less important in the past when most grain was processed into flour for making injera. Differences in breakages have been observed between the NERICA and X-Jigna varieties, which require adjustments in processing. Also, consumer preferences in urban centres should be considered since X-Jigna has stickiness characteristics as compared to the NERICA varieties. Rice straw and industrial by-products like hulls and bran were becoming increasingly important as a source livestock feed and linkages with dairy and fattening in the woreda can be further developed.

Livestock fattening innovation in Ethiopia—The Metema story

Livestock fattening innovation in Ethiopia—The Metema story ILRI This video documents how a 2005 alliance between the local government office of agriculture, the IPMS project, and local livestock farmers and traders in western Ethiopia took advantage of livestock market opportunities in neighbouring Sudan. Through dialogue with local actors, the team worked out a "new way of doing business." This brought knowledge to farmers, connected them to animal health providers, encouraged shopkeepers to sell feed for fattening, and reached out to farmers through community institutions like the church. What went right in Metema? First, farmers were empowered through sharing of new ideas - on fattening and on market opportunities. Second, the team addressed issues beyond production, reaching out to input providers and others. Third, the team worked with farmers and input suppliers who volunteered to try fattening, with their own resources. Some of the critical building blocks to sustain and scale out this approach include: Effective partnerships among all actors in the value chain; appropriate knowledge for farmers on many topics; stronger input supply systems; stronger support systems for farmers to get hold of services; market information

IPMS project shares monitoring and evaluation approach with Ethiopian Agricultural Growth Program

IPMS project shares monitoring and evaluation approach with Ethiopian Agricultural Growth Program Gebremedhin, B. In November 2011, Berhanu Gebremedhin of ILRI/IPMS Project trained staff of the Ethiopian Agricultural Growth Program (AGP) on results-based monitoring and evaluation (November 28-December 3 2011 in Debrezeit Ethiopia). He outlined the main topics covered in the workshop: An introduction to results-based M&E; the development of a logic model and performance framework of a project; the performance measurement framework; the need for participatory M&E with stakeholders and how to do this; the selection and specification of indicators; data collection and analysis; the production and dissemination of of timely M&E reports; and the institutionalization of M&E and M&E units. He concludes by emphasizing the focus of the training- it was a training of trainers event - the participants are expected to train on their colleagues; they are also expected to lead M&E efforts at the regional level - guiding implementation as well as writing reports.

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