PROMOTION OF INDIGENOUS GARUT SHEEP PRODUCTION TO SMALL FARMERS IN THE DISTRICT OF MAJALENGKA, WEST JAVA

Abstract

An on going study to promote indigenous Garut sheep production to small farmers
residing in villages along the Cimanuk river is well underway through I998. Base line study was done in late 1989, and follow up action programs were initiated in late I992. The objective of the study, in general, was to disseminate research results on sheep raising to small farmers in four villages in the district of Majalengka so as to help them solve their problems. In particular, the objective of this study was to enhance the capacity of sheep producers and consequently to
improve their welfare. The methodologies employed included: (1) Specification of the target groups; (2) Assessment of constraints to sheep production, (3) Design of training curricula; (4) Production of communication materials to support the target group training; (5) Strengthening local sheep producer associations, and (6) Follow-up visits and technical backstopping. After five years working with the target groups, the study concluded that: (1) the target groups still confronted technical, social and economic constraints preventing them to further develop their
resources, (2) the communication strategy employed was effective in motivating and empowering the target groups to overcome some constraints to better sheep production, (3) A significant amount of extension workers, fanner leaders and cooperating sheep producers in Majalengka had better knowledge and skills in sheep production, (4) the sheep population had increased more than 300 percents in about 30 months since the sheep provision, and (5) The target groups gained significant amount of income from raising sheep.