Range management improvement

The SFR will implement the project in cooperation with other GOM units and a U.S. land grant university. The SFR will develop an RM extension/demonstration program by working with existing tribal grazing associations and by encouraging the formation of new associations. At least two demonstrations of RM practices will be held annually at each of five semiarid areas within tribal perimeters. Demonstrations will focus on grazing management (grazing density and distribution, seasonal grazing); herd management; site potential determination; and vegetation management. In addition, field days, short courses, and workshops will be held on and off the perimeters. Three U.S. advisors will help SFR staff work with grazing associations, plan extension activities, and inventory range flora and fauna. A fourth advisor will help the SFR set up a seed center which will evaluate seeds of cold- and warm-adapted forage crop varieties, certify seed quality, eventually produce at least 125 tons of seed, and promote extension activities in seed production and use. To ensure that SFR RM activities are sensitive to farmers" and herders" sociocultural needs, a U.S. pastoral anthropologist will analyze the five grazing perimeters in terms of the dynamics of grazing associations; the relationships between farmers and nonsedentary herders; the effect on transhumance exchange of deferring grazing; grazing-by-contract; and the economic role of women. U.S., M.S. training will be provided to SFR staff in RM and extension (7 participants), forage seed (2), and anthropology (2). Short-term U.S. training in RM and extension will be provided for 17 technicians and extension agents, and an international RM seminar will be funded. Amendment No. 1 of 8/84 revises several project elements in response to a 1/84 evaluation. Specifically, the project will: (1) focus on the area"s livestock/crop production system as a whole, while continuing work in the tribal perimeters; (2) improve planning and coordination by stationing senior RM specialists at a central site (Rabat), assigning junior technicians and PCV"s to the field, and increasing cooperation with other projects and GOM programs; (3) place intensified emphasis on SFR institution building; (4) integrate socioeconomic and biological rangeland research; (5) expand extension and initiate allied research and demonstration efforts; (6) increase short-term/practical training of SFR staff; and (7) stress seed multiplication rather than production of foundation seed. (PD-AAQ-438)