Starting a farm management and farm record program in Tunisia

This report describes an extension farm management program designed to address this problem. The program, based on a view of the farm as a technically well-managed and economically sound unit, was administered by the Economics Section of Tunisia"s National Office of Livestock and Pastures (OEP), recieved technical assistance from A.I.D., and targeted farmers with less than 20 ha who raise cattle but cultivate little forage. In its first year, the program was limited to three farms. Extension staff were trained and a farmer questionnaire and record book developed. Agents first solicited answers to the questionnaire regarding farm characteristics and farmer preferences and intentions and then helped devise individualized farming plans. During the year, farmers recorded receipts, expenses, family use of farm products, yields, milk production, animal births and deaths, beginning and end of year inventories, and depreciation; the agent provided a written analysis of the farm business. The program was extended to 54 farms in 1980-81, but many farmers quit because they disliked recordkeeping and had mistakenly expected the program to provide forage seeds and other materials. Nonetheless, the program had a marked impact - both bersim and milk production were far above average, per capita income of participating farmers was slightly above the national average, and the most successful farmers in the program earned twice the national average. Contributing to the program"s success were early identification of farm management problems; farmers" confidence in agents; the development of training materials and technical recommendations for forage production and livestock care; training regional agents in farm management principles; and a slow and careful start. To ensure future program success, the authors recommend expanding the Economic Section; continuing staff training and farmer follow-up; elevating the program to the level of a Farm Management Project; enlisting the support of the National Farmers Union; and increasing the use of Peace Corps volunteers. Attached are sample Farm Record books.