PLANNING COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR SMALL RUMINANTS UNDER TITLE XII; IQC-AFR-C-1144

Project activities include compilation of knowledge upon which a sound research program will be formed. A state-of-the-art study on the status of SR production and use of SR products (meat, milk, and fiber) will be prepared, and research underway in developed and developing countries will be inventoried. The following data will be collected: SR numbers, products, and production trends; contribution of SR"s to the GNP; distribution of animals by farm size; consumption patterns of SR products; and land use for SR"s. Nutritional improvement of urban and rural populations through use of SR meat and dairy products will also be analyzed. Institutions having a manifest interest in SR research will be identified and invited to present problems and suggestions for research to the contractor. Potentials and constraints for SR production systems under various grazing and livestock conditions will then be identified. Included among such constraints may be land and feed resource use and conservation, and SR production, transportation, and marketing. A summary citing the most urgent needs of developing countries for SR research will be prepared and will contain an estimate of the cost-benefit ratio of various individual research projects. The information gathered by the contractor will be presented in the form of a CRSP report for SR"s. This report will be distributed to interested LDC governments and institutes; these groups will then be invited to prepare proposals and budget requests for participation in the program. Based on proposal submissions and knowledge gained from the report, the contractor will make recommendations for the selection of organizations. A final report will be prepared, containing names of organizations recommended for participation, details of all contributing projects, and expected impact of projects on LDC food production. Amendment of contractor"s work order provides assistance to selected institutions and further development of the program itself.