ICARDA annual report 2004

ICARDA Annual Report 2004
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farmers to buy feed to maintain their
flocks. In addition, flocks are inefficiently
managed and sheep milk is
often processed wastefully and
unhygienically.
ICARDA, therefore, began a
multidisciplinary research program
in 2000 to improve productivity in
El-Bab, an area in northern Syria
where sheep milk products are traditionally
produced. The project
originally used an on-farm adaptive
research approach. However, a
community-based, participatory
approach is now being used to
develop appropriate technologies,
evaluate new production and
income scenarios, and encourage
farmers to work together.
Participatory workshops and
rapid rural appraisals were used to
characterize production processes
and analyze production constraints.
Market opportunities and local
knowledge of milk processing were
also considered. It was found that,
on average, sheep milk production
contributed almost half (48%) to a
family’s income and served as an
important source of employment
for family members. On average,
each farm kept 49 Awassi ewes,
that represents 68% of each flock.
These were used to produce milk,
which was mainly processed into
yogurt and cheese and then marketed
through intermediaries.
Several production constraints
were identified, including the cost
of feed, inadequate management,
and lack of access to improved
breeding ewes and rams. In addition,
no infrastructure existed for
milk processing. For example, electricity
was not available for refrigeration,
so products spoiled easily.
The constraints identified were
addressed by (i) introducing efficient
feeding systems and improved
flock management; (ii) improving
the collection and processing of
milk; and (iii) promoting community
action.
Participatory workshops and rapid rural appraisals were used in El-Bab, Syria, to integrate
research efforts to improve productivity and market targeting of dairy products.
To improve milk production,
farmers tested strategic feeding
methods using treated straw and
cheap agricultural by-products (i.e.
olive cake, tomato pulp, and citrus
pulp). This simple technology
improved milk production by 12.5
kg per ewe. For an average flock of
50 ewes, this translates into an
additional US$ 217 per season.
Use of a better feeding regime
also motivated farmers to consider
using Awassi varieties that produce
more under less harsh conditions.
Because farmers listed this as an
important intervention, ICARDA
introduced a genotype that produces
up to 17% more milk than
the local genotype under a similar
feeding regime on-station. The performance
of these animals is currently
being evaluated. The project
is also working to increase the
adoption of technologies such as
lamb fattening using low-cost diets,
as the use of more intensive systems
will add value to farmers’
produce.
To improve the collection and
processing of milk products, a
series of training workshops was
held to make farmers aware of consumer
preferences and persuade
them to focus on improving the
quality of their products.
Consumers strongly prefer yogurt
and cheese made from sheep milk.
They want high-quality produce,
and because they can determine
what region a product comes from
by its flavor, it is impossible to sell
products adulterated with goat or
cow milk. Consumers rated cleanliness
and flavor very highly in both
cheese and yogurt, and also
required yogurt to be firm.
Traditional milking methods
can often contaminate an entire
day’s batch of milk. In fact, bacterial
contamination is the main problem
in traditional processing systems.
According to recent estimates
at least 30-40% of milking ewes suffer
from mastitis. Furthermore,
2.7% of the sheep in the region
carry brucellosis.