Overview
This project aimed to improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of small ruminant farming families focusing on the inclusion of women, by developing strategies for improved, sustainable production, and value chain engagement.
Although livestock in Pakistan increased in recent decades, this has not been matched by increases in fodder availability or overall productivity. Key priority areas for Pakistan at both national and provincial levels include improved livestock research and extension capacity.
Through previous ACIAR research projects, clear opportunities for small ruminant families, particularly women, were identified to capitalise on the strong demand for sheep and goat meat in Pakistan.
This project makes a significant contribution to this long-term vision by deepening our understanding of on-farm constraints that limit productivity, introduce and ground-truth a first set of simple interventions that are likely to improve the survival and growth of animals, and identify opportunities for women and their families to engage more effectively and profitably with small ruminant value chains.
Project outcomes
- Developing and testing improved production practices to increase growth and off take of small ruminants.
- Creating opportunities for women and their families to derive more benefits from small ruminant production and marketing.
- Developing and testing strategies for supporting small ruminant farming families to assess market opportunities and attain market specifications.
