Integrating improved goat breeds with new varieties of sweetpotatoes 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.

Optimizing livelihood and environmental benefits from crop residues in smallholder crop–livestock systems in western Oromia: PRA case studies conducted across eight villages around Nekemte, Ethiopia Lule, D.; Kaba, W.; Degefa, A.; Degefa, K.; Negash, M.; Mekonnen, K.; Leta, G.; Duncan, A.

Capacity for knowledge-based smallholder agriculture in Ethiopia: Linking graduate programs to market-oriented agricultural development: Challenges, opportunities and IPMS experience Lemma, T.; Tegegne, A.; Hoekstra, D. Graduate Programs in agriculture and allied disciplines in Ethiopia (henceforth the GPs) are expected to make concrete contributions towards achieving market-led and knowledge-based transformation of smallholder agriculture. To that end, strengthening capacities of the GPs and linking them to development deserve due policy attention. No panacea exists, however, as to how the programs can be better strengthened, linked, and become more responsive. Lessons from initiatives on the ground in the country and beyond are thus crucial to inform policy and the development of context specific innovative strategies. This paper aims to make a modest contribution to the discourse in Ethiopia and beyond on transforming GPs related to agriculture into ‘developmental institutions’. The paper highlights the imperatives for knowledge-based transformation of smallholder agriculture in Ethiopia and emerging roles of GPs; discusses key challenges of the GPs to realize their mandates and to meet ever changing expectations. It also presents a case study of an initiative by +aimed at linking GPs through research by students to commodity value chain development and actors, and discusses qualitative and quantitative indicators of outcome in terms of enhanced research and learning experience. The paper draws out some lessons and identifies strategic and practical options, including from the review of good practices elsewhere, that may help to improve learning and research in the GPs. The analysis shows that the GPs are currently facing several challenges, which could not be solved by government or by the programs alone, but rather require multiple linkages and collaborations. The GPs, on the one hand, need to be more proactive in creating linkages and partnering with regional and federal governments, and with development/interventions, and, on the other, actors who are truly committed to sustainability should be more willing to integrate systematically into development programs, as a critical component, partnering with and strengthening capacity of key capacity building national institutions, such as the GPs. Revitalizing the programs calls for holistic approach from an innovation systems perspective, multipronged and multi-level strategies, and long-term commitments.

Towards priority actions for market development for African farmers ILRI

Exit from Bangladesh’s poultry industry: Causes and solutions Jabbar, M.A.; Rahman, M.H.; Talukder, R.K.; Raha, S.K.

Yak production in central Asian highlands: Proceedings of the third international congress on yak held in Lhasa, P.R. China, 4–9 September 2000 Han Jianlin; Richard, C.; Hanotte, O.; McVeigh, C.; Rege, J.E.O.

Smallholder dairy production and marketing—Opportunities and constraints Rangnekar, D.; Thorpe, W.

African small ruminant research and development: Proceedings of a conference held at Bamenda, Cameroon,18-25 January 1989 Wilson, R.T.; Melaku, A.

Cassava as livestock feed in Africa: Proceedings of the IITA/ILCA/University of Ibadan workshop on the potential utilization of cassava as livestock feed in Africa Hahn, S.K.; Reynolds, L.; Egbunike, G.N.

Small ruminant breed productivity in Africa: Proceedings of a seminar held at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 1982 Gatenby, R.M.; Trail, J.C.M.