Enhancing livestock productivity through feed and feeding interventions in India and Tanzania
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
Abstract
Feed interventions often do not work due to the ‘top-down’ approach and blanket promotion irrespective of
the context. The MilkIT project’s innovation platforms demonstrated a new way of addressing feed issues. Rapid
assessments and the platform discussions ensured producers were strongly engaged in designing and implementing
interventions. Participatory action research and training helped to address the problems identified, while the action
research centred on introducing improved forages, pasture improvement, reducing feed wastage, feeding adequate
rations, and feed conservation. Producers tested different practices, while local researchers monitored the trials.
The types of institutions and actors involved in an innovation platform will depend on the particular situation.
Innovation platforms may identify issues that a standard research and development approach might not. The
entry points will depend on the situation and on the needs of the platform members. It may be important to link
interventions to ‘pull factors’ such as markets. As solutions emerge and are tested and accepted, their sustainability
must be considered: the trials must be located in the right place, and local communities (and especially women) must
have ownership of the process.
Description
Keywords
Enhancing livestock productivity, Feeding interventions, Feed innovation platforms, Cost-benefit analysis