Improving the red meat value chain in Tunisia
Period of Implementations
Dec 01, 2015 - Oct 31, 2017
Total budget
615,076
Project Name
Provision of proven feed resource technologies to improve the red meat value chain in Tunisia
About
The livestock sector represents an important agricultural activity in Tunisia and generates significant additional income, in particular, for small farmers and the landless. Red meat is the main livestock product produced in Tunisia and is extremely diverse, with 47% derived from cattle, 45% from sheep and 8% from goats. The quality and quantity of forage produced coupled with the unbalanced feeding of livestock in rural Tunisia are not sufficient and stable enough to ensure high-quality red meat production. The adoption of diversified feeding regimes that are based on locally produced feeds and by-products can address this issue.
The project offers an integrated package of successfully tested proven technologies of locally adapted feed and forage supply, combined with extension services and organizational support for smallholder farmers as well as business development support for local manufacturers. These interventions have
been shown to have an immediate impact on livestock production, and on rural livelihood.
The project was implemented under two agro-ecological systems:(I) the agropastoral system: Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan and Kasserine (less favourable) and (2) the livestock-cereal-based system Beja, Jendouba and El Kef (more favourable zones).
Impact
Goals
This project aims to improve the red meat value chain by focusing on eliminating feed gaps and providing adaptation strategies to drought. The project promotes the creation of feed block manufacturing units, cactus use as fodder through the use of low-cost locally made choppers, rapid forage seed multiplication and distribution to participating farmers, as well as better quality forage through silage making.
Objectives
To increase and sustain income by smallholders through the creation of enterprises that alleviate feed shortages and mitigate the effects of recurrent droughts.
To increase the employment of youth and women through the creation of small enterprises as well as their participation in the agriculture sector.
To increase capacity development and partnerships through training of farmer associations and small enterprises by agricultural extension.
Impact pathways
The project combines components of knowledge and business to increase access to productive assets, including natural resources. Extension and farmer associations, cooperatives and enterprises are contributing to achieving the results, through strong linkages built among them.
Furthermore, the participation of women and youth in agricultural decision-making is enhanced. This gender-related aspect is therefore increasing the capacity for innovation in partner development organizations and in poor and vulnerable communities.
The performance of the livestock production is improved in the agro-pastoral and the cereal-livestock-based systems.
The several training courses and any capacity development activity within the project have a positive impact on the socio-economic and environmental levels, especially at the small household level.
Locations
Tunisia
34, 9
Project Management
Mounir Louhaichi
Manager
Partners
Office of Livestock and Pasture Authority - OEP
National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia - INAT