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Final Report BMZ Project Funding
General Information
Implementing Organisation and Contracting Partner
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40 53113 Bonn Tel. +49-(0) 228-44600 Internet: www.giz.de
Contact for project reports
Advisory Service on Agricultural Research for Development (BEAF)
Stefanie Zeiss Tel. +49 (0) 228-4460-3883
Closing date October 31, 2017
Reporting period December 1, 2015 – October 31, 2017
Submit by e-mail to [email protected] and [email protected]
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1. Basic data
The IARC applicant International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Project title Provision of Proven Feed Resource Technologies to Improve the Red Meat Value Chain in Tunisia
Funding type, GIZ Project Number and Contract Number
Project Number: 14.0967.1-106.00 Contact Number : 81193857
Reporting Period 12 / 2015 – 10 / 2017
Project Coordinator and Project Scientists
Dr. Mounir Louhaichi (coordinator), ICARDA – Amman, Tel: +963 (21) 221 3433x2502. [email protected] Dr. Ali Nefzaoui, Udo Ruediger, Dr. Jutta Werner, Dr. Boubaker Dhehibi, Dr. Abdul Aziz Niane, Dr Nizar Moujahed (INAT), and Mr. Fethi Gouhis (OEP)
State of budget provided by BMZ/GIZ
600.000 EURO
2. Final Report
Summary
Feed resource shortage is one of the major constraints to the development of the red meat sector in Tunisia. The current project offers an integrated package of successfully tested and proven technologies of locally adapted feed and forage supply. To boost the adoption of these technologies, the project initiated the establishment of two innovation platforms (IP) dealing with feed resources and also provided necessary training and coaching to the relevant farmers. The IP charter regulating the working procedures was developed with the participation of all stakeholders. To reduce the feed gap, two major options were considered, (i) promoting forage production in cereal-livestock based systems and (ii) valorization of agro-industrial by-products in agro-pastoral areas. To assess the impact of the project, a baseline survey covering 300 farmers from the target regions was conducted. Promoting forage production was achieved through the upscaling of silage techniques and providing good quality forage seeds. Capacity on silage techniques was developed in the first semester of the project implementation. During the second semester the focus was on improving seed availability through four major interventions; (i) seed multiplication undertaken by 42 contracted farmers who produced 200 tons of forage seeds from different species (berseem, alfalfa, sulla etc.); (ii) capacity development of Livestock and Pasture Office(OEP) technicians on seed processing; (iii) upgrading OEP forage and pasture seeds processing unit, and (iv) contributing to the national forage and pasture seeds strategy and action plan. In 2017 manually operated low-cost cactus choppers were promoted through the distribution of 30 cactus choppers, and the training of the beneficiaries who received the choppers. The choppers were fabricated locally and distributed to farmers and associations in areas where cactus cultivation is prominent. The choppers are easy to handle, save time and reduce injuries and are therefore a big relief for
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rural women. The introduction of the semi-industrial feed block (FB) machinery was a key intervention area of the project. Four semi-automatic modern and newly designed FB machines were locally manufactured and distributed to carefully selected entrepreneurs having different profiles (1 farmer cooperative and 1 cactus processing enterprise in Kasserine, 1 feed salesman in Sidi Bouzid and 1 entrepreneur/start-up in Kairouan). Distribution documents were signed by ICARDA and all the concerned partners. The development of a sound sustainable business around this technology required the following steps: (i) survey on seasonal availability of by-products by region, (ii) development of low-cost good quality feed block formulas, and (iii) training of beneficiaries on business plan development and assured follow up guidance. All four entrepreneurs have now viable business plans for the FB business and are awaiting implementation. The project was also attentive to partners’ capacity development and project up-scaling, with priority given to OEP staff and project beneficiaries. Technical flyers on the major innovations from the project were developed, printed and distributed. One blog and a short video about the cactus chopper was uploaded to the ICARDA and GIZ websites, and two more videos on the major project achievements and a seed cooperative were produced. In addition, ICARDA participated at the “Salon International de l’Investissement Agricole et de la Technologie en Tunisie (SIAT) investment fair” in Tunis, jointly with the GIZ “green innovation center” under the “German – Tunisian Pavilion”. Posters from the three BMZ financed projects (the red meat VC project, the mind the gap project and the solar powered milk cooling project) were presented during the fair. Project flyers and new fact sheets on feed blocks, silage, forage seeds and IPs as well as the demonstration of a cactus chopper and silage bag helped to scale up the promoted innovations.
State of Project Implementation and Assessment
Objective 1. Increased and sustained income by small holder farmers through the creation of small enterprises that alleviate feed shortages and mitigate the effects of recurrent droughts
Activity State of
implementation
Inception workshop completed Building linkages with extension and farmer associations, cooperatives, and enterprises through innovation platforms (IPs)
completed
Train national partners on IPs completed Identify beneficiaries for feed block units and cactus chopper completed Identify beneficiaries for silage making completed Conduct baseline study competed Identify beneficiaries for seed production completed Design and purchase of feed block manufacturing units and cactus chopper
completed
Distribution of feed block machines completed Elaborate technical leaflets for innovations completed
i) Inception workshop: The national inception workshop was held January 21, 2016, in Tunis with 40 participants from ICARDA and various partners, including OEP, CRDAs (Regional Commissary for
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Agricultural Development - representatives of the 6 governorates), IRESA (Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education), GIZ and APIA (Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency). The objective of the workshop was to introduce the project, finalize the proposed action plan and clarify the roles and tasks of the partners. For the project to be effective in terms of reaching out to people and raising awareness among stakeholders and partners, a regional workshop was held on February 9, 2016 in Kef for stakeholders who could not attend the inception workshop. Partners involved in the feed and forages cluster of the red meat sector participated in the meeting, especially those from the project’s six target governorates (Jendouba, Beja, Kef, Kairouan, Kasserine and Sidi Bouzid), as well as representatives of the 6 CRDAs, UTAP (Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries), and NGOs. Attendees actively participated in the discussion, which led to a common understanding of the project and the role of each partner.
ii) Building linkages with extension agents, farmer associations, cooperatives, and enterprises through innovation platforms (IP)
A two-day training on IPs was held on the 23rd and 24th of February 2016 in Sidi Thabet. A total of 24 participants attended and benefited from this training, with participants including OEP and CRDA staff of the six governorates as well as producer organizations. Through the project, two regional IPs were installed; one IP for the North West region where the cereal-based production system is prevalent (Kef, Béjà, Jendouba) and one IP for the Center-West region where the agro-pastoral system is prevalent (Kairouan, Kasserine, Kasserine). The regional IPs met twice each, 29th March and 6th May 2016 in North West and 31st March and 10th May 2016 in Center West. Members of the IPs were identified and include governmental and non-governmental organizations, farmers’ associations, credit providers, extension and national organizations. Stakeholders involved in the IPs unanimously designated OEP as the facilitating institution, and a charter of the IPs was drafted and approved by IPs members. In 2017, the charter was signed.
iii) Identify beneficiaries for cactus chopper and feed blocks The project team identified 30 beneficiaries, which included farmers and farmer associations (GDA, SMSA) to receive the cactus choppers. Major criteria for the selection of the beneficiaries were high density of cactus plantation in the region and a high demand for supplementary feed. Priority was given to cases where cactus choppers will serve several farmers (see list of beneficiaries in the technical report). Beneficiaries from the Governorates of Kairouan, Kasserine, Sidi Bouzid and Kef received 7, 10, 6 and 7 choppers, respectively. Criteria to select beneficiaries of feed block machines were developed jointly by ICARDA and OEP, as well as with the entrepreneurial selection committee. The selection committee was also responsible for conducting an enterprise assessment in the 4 governorates (Kairouan, Sidi Bouzid, Kasserine, and Kef). The criteria used in the assessment included: existing infrastructure (access to water, roads, three phased electricity and existing drying and stocking places), market demand, and access to credit.
iv) Design and Distribution of feed block manufacturing units (FBMU) and cactus choppers
The concept and the design of the FBMU and cactus choppers were developed by ICARDA together with a local manufacturer in Sfax. The cactus chopper was designed to be simple, cheap (300 $ US per unit) and robust. It is operated by a manual crank that rotates a blade that cuts the cactus pads into slides. The chopper is fed manually. This type of chopper is suitable for small farmers who do not always have electricity and/or to avoid paying the
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energy cost. One FBMU has a production capacity of 5 tons / day and it costed about $15.000, whereas each cactus chopper costed $400. The four FBMU were ready by mid-June 2016 and the selected entrepreneurs received specific training on business plans and signed a binding agreement with ICARDA. Administrative constraints delayed the handing over of the equipment to the entrepreneurs. The final arrangement was that ICARDA should hand over the equipment to the national partner OEP, who took the responsibility to distribute them to beneficiaries. Distribution of the equipment took place in May 2017 and the installation in July 2017.
v) Identify beneficiaries for seed production Depending on the forage/pasture species, the selection of beneficiaries conformed to a set of criteria. After investigation, OEP signed contracts with 72 seed producers to supply seeds. After harvesting, OEP together with DGPQCA (General Directorate of Protection and Control of Agricultural Products Quality) took seed samples and assessed their quality; farmers were paid only when seeds met predetermined quality standards. The produced seeds were then sold to users through OEP, ODESYPANO (Silvopastoral Development Board of Northwest) and CRDAs.
vi) Baseline study A questionnaire of about six hundred questions was put together by the project covering socio-economic as well as biophysical characteristics, but emphasizing various livestock sector aspects related to the objectives of the project. The questionnaire was used to interview a stratified sample of 300 farmers chosen at random covering two production systems in six Governorates, with about 50 farmers in each Governorate. The main features of the targeted farmers according to the survey were as follows: farmers were, on average, advanced in age; their education level did not go beyond elementary school, but they had significant farming experience; rural households were generally of moderate size (5-6 individuals per household); half of farmers were affiliated to farmer associations, with a low degree of satisfaction (30 %); the access to credits was limited (22%); farm sizes were on, average, about 21 ha and mostly individually owned (98%); dryland farming was predominant (88 %); concentrates, barley, alfalfa pellets and wheat bran were the most important supplements used by farmers, and contribution of livestock activities to income generation was rated high (66%). vii) Development and distribution of technical leaflets / flyers for innovations Four technical leaflets were prepared in French, English and Arabic, covering the following topics:
Feed block making and uses Silage production Seed production Innovation platforms
Leaflets were distributed among all stakeholders including farmers, technicians, extension agents, universities and business partners. A good opportunity for leaflet distribution as a means of information sharing was the participation at the “Salon International de l’Investissement Agricole et de la Technologie en Tunisie (SIAT) in October 2016 and at the “Salon international de l'agriculture, du machinisme agricole et de la pêche (SIAMAP)” in November 2017. ICARDA’s hub in the German-Tunisian pavilion was well frequented and over 700 technical leaflets were distributed.
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Objective 2: Employment of youth and women is increased through the creation of small enterprises as well as their participation in the agriculture sector
Activities (work plan) State of
implementation
Provide technical support for innovations (silage making and seed production)
completed
Identification of agro-industrial byproduct (AGIBPs) suppliers completed Identify lead farmers for seed production completed Identify project beneficiaries (entrepreneurs, farmers associations, cooperatives) for feed block unit management
completed
Identify project beneficiaries for silage making completed Organization of a national workshop on forage and pasture seeds strategy
completed
Upgrading the “OEP forage and pasture seed processing unit” completed
i) Provide technical support for innovations (silage making and seed production): Nine field days with theoretical and practical trainings demonstrating the technology and importance of silage to 216 livestock farmers were organized and completed in Bizerte, Jendouba, Beja and Kef. Concerning technical support in the area of seed production, the following activities were completed: i) improving the OEP seed center facilities (especially the seed processing unit), ii) training 2 OEP staff on seed production and processing, iii) on the job training of OEP staff on seed production and processing, iv) an assessment of forage seed importers, and v) a national workshop to review and propose improvements for the forage and pasture seed strategy in Tunisia.
ii) Identification of agro-industrial by-products (AGIBPs) suppliers: The project aimed to support the development of businesses around the production and commercialization of feed blocks. Therefore, it was important to be acquainted with the types, and availability of agro-industrial by-products (AGIBPs). An assessment was conducted to determine the main agro-industrial by-products available in the target regions, periods of production, as well as current use and prices. In total, 73 agro-food companies producing AGIBPs were investigated in the six governorates; these enterprises were potential partners for providing by-products for the production of feed blocks.
iii) Identify project beneficiaries (entrepreneurs, farmers’ associations, cooperatives) for feed block unit management
A total of 16 potential entrepreneurs were identified and 4 of them were selected based on specific criteria from the survey implemented in the 4 governorates, as well as the interviews. Table 3 provides a list of the selected entrepreneurs for the feed block enterprise
Table 3 Selected Entrepreneur-Objective 2 Region Type of candidate Name Main Activity
Kasserine Registered enterprise Nopal Cactus fruit processing and export of added-value products from cactus
Kairouan Enterpreneur Bio Innovation
Mounir Chaker Unemployed engineer; start up with enterprise with feed blocks
Kasserine Farmer cooperative SMSA Ettahadi Apple production
Sidi Bouzid Young enterpreneur Jamel Rahmeni Sale of livestock feeds
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iv) National forage and pasture seed workshop
In collaboration with OEP, IRESA, FAO and ICARDA, a national workshop on "The strategy of production and marketing of fodder and pasture seeds" was organized on the 6th and 7th October 2016. The workshop aimed at:
Providing a relevant diagnosis of the current situation of fodder and pastoral seed production and marketing sectors (strengths and weaknesses).
Updating the strategy for the promotion of the fodder and pasture seed sectors developed in 2013, and to advance an action plan for its implementation
The workshop was attended by 65 representatives from public and private sector, and provided an opportunity to canvass diverse opinions in order to ensure representatives’ full commitment and compliance for the developed action plan, which was submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture.
v) Upgrading of the OEP El-Grine forage and pasture seed processing unit From the 27th September to the 5th October 2016 an ICARDA mission to El Grine station took place and focused on:
Assembling, testing and demonstrating the new seed treatment unit with the support of a technician from the supplying company,
A training workshop on practical operation, adjustment and maintenance of the complete seed processing plant by ICARDA. A total of 17 participants from OEP, Office des cereals and CRDA attended the training.
The seed processing unit is fully operational and the trained OEP staff assured that in the future, greater quantities and better quality forage seeds will be produced to be sown by farmers. Until recently, forage and pasture seed processing was done manually. As a matter of fact, the seed treatment unit was used to prepare 50 Tons of Knonouz barley seed to be used by the Mind the Gap Project. In addition the unit has improved purity of the forage seeds (100% for alfalfa and 99% for bersim clover). Objective 3: Increased capacity development and partnerships.
Activities (work plan) State of
implementation
Training of extension, CRDA and OEP staff on innovation platforms completed On the job training (silage making, feed block making) completed Other trainings (not included in the original work plan) Advanced training at international level on seed production and processing (2 OEP staff)
completed
Training on surveys design, data management and analysis, and business plan development (25 participants)
completed
On-farm forage production (local) (18 participants) completed Project design – logframe (local) (24 participants) completed Travelling workshop to Jordan (7 participants) completed Degree training (2 BSc students from INAT) completed Students summer training (2 students from INAT) completed
More information related to capacity development is given in the chapter “Training and Human Capacity Development” below.
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i. Partnerships 1. GIZ
The red meat value chain project contributed significantly to the activities of the GIZ green innovation center in Tunisia. Regular meetings and exchange of documents assured that the project was well integrated into the GIZ program. The red meat VC project concentrated on feed resources for ruminants whereas other activities of the green innovation center focused on watering and marketing aspects; a clear complementarity of activities aiming at the same main outcomes of increased incomes and creation of employment.
2. OEP Strong partnerships were developed with several Tunisian governmental institutions. Collaboration with OEP was crucial in particular for the implementation of several surveys (availability of AGIBPs, identification of potential FBMU entrepreneurs and beneficiaries for 30 cactus choppers, as well as establishing seed enterprises) and the distribution of equipment as well as material describing the project. Collaboration took place with central OEP staff as well as the regional OEP offices in the six governorates.
3. INAT The collaboration with the national research institute focused on the development of the feed block business. Together with an INAT animal feed specialist, over 30 new feed block formula / compositions were developed, tested and proposed to the four entrepreneurs. Depending on the availability of AGIBPs, specific formulae were proposed to the entrepreneurs and integrated in their business plans. INAT was also an important partner in the process of implementing the innovation platforms (IP). Together, an IP chart was elaborated and presented during the IP meetings.
Major outcomes
Major achievements 4 feed block units and 30 cactus choppers were manufactured locally and distributed
to entrepreneurs and farmers/farmer cooperatives. Cactus choppers reduced chopping time by about 40% and reduced injuries. A Forage and pasture seeds strategy and plan of action were developed and
submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture. The OEP forage and pasture seed processing unit was upgraded and it is now fully
operational. Two regional multi-actor innovation platforms, working on feed resources were
installed. Capacity development of partners was enhanced (training, facilities and regulations). A baseline study was completed and a detailed report made available to partners. In partnership with the beneficiaries, 4 business plans for feed block making were
developed. 4 technical flyers in 3 languages, two posters and 1 project flyer were developed,
printed and distributed.
Methodological breakthroughs In collaboration with a local manufacturer a semi-industrial feed block making unit was
designed and fabricated. In collaboration with a local manufacturer, man-powered and low-cost cactus
choppers were fabricated. In collaboration with INAT (Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie), new and low-
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cost feed block formulas were developed based on local by-products. The installation of specific feed resource innovation platforms was completed. This
multi-actor platform is a new approach to discuss challenges around the feed sector in Tunisia.
Project outcomes As none of the four entrepreneurs have not yet started producing feed blocks, the project outcomes reduction of feeding costs, increase in livestock daily gains, increased income and creation of employment could not been achieved.
Institutionalized Diffusion of Innovation
Innovation platforms introduced during the project was supposed to assist farmers in terms of providing innovative approaches towards farming activities. The partner OEP institution was placed in charge to monitor and ensure the organization and facilitation of these IPs. To ensure ownership and adoption of this approach, initial training was offered to interested farmers, which helped to also share information on importance of agricultural innovations and how IPs can help in making innovations sustainable in bringing about efficient handling of agricultural products and by-products. This IP concept was totally new to the organization and although several (four) IP meetings took place, a certain doubt concerning the usefulness and importance of IPs still existed among the OEP staff. This is one of the reasons why in 2017 no further IP meetings took place under this project. However, adtional IP meetings are planned in December 2017 and even in 2018 through alternative sources of fundings (such as CRP Livestock funds). Another way to promote and scale up innovations was the introduction and use of SMS sent to farmers. This was done in collaboration with another GIZ funded project “Mind the Gap” and the GIZ-implemented PAD project. A total of 560 farmers received information about feed resources such as feed blocks, cactus and new barley varieties. In five Governorates, employees of the regional Agricultural Ministry responsible for extension were trained and equipped to promote and equip them on the sending of technical SMS. At the time of a follow-up mission, each extension worker had sent about 20 SMS to farmers. Directors of the regional MINAGRI (CRDA) confirmed that this innovative extension method is resource-efficient and will most likely be continued after the completion of the projects. The Tunisian GIZ “green innovation center” organized a “German-Tunisian Pavilion” during the “SIAT investment fair” in Tunis in October 2016 and during the SIAMAP in November 2017. ICARDA, as a partner of the green innovation center, organized a hub presenting information material of ongoing activities in Tunisia. Posters from the three BMZ financed projects implemented by ICARDA (the red meat VC project, the Mind the Gap project and the solar-powered milk cooling project) were presented. Project flyers and fact sheets from the red meat VC project were also distributed during the hub. In addition to the printed material, an example of the locally made cactus chopper and sweet smelling silage fodder were displayed for participants to see for themselves the benefits of the equipment. Participation at the SIAT and SIAMAP helped in up-scaling of the promoted innovations. The final project workshop The final workshop took place between the 17th to the 19th October 2017 in Hammamet and attended by 50 participants. The first day of the workshop aimed at presenting the main achievements of the project through power point presentations. In the afternoon a panel discussion took place focusing on the following themes:
Mohamed Nasri: Pertinence of project achievements for the country priorities and
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recommendations for the future,
Carsten Schuettel: Identifying opportunities to sustain the collaboration between German cooperation and ICARDA in Tunisia, how to achieve appropriate agricultural innovation process, and how to succeed in establishing agricultural innovation platforms,
Mounir Louhaichi: Suggestions to improve the collaboration between OEP and ICARDA and to ease project management; also focused on the future vision for better integration between development agencies and international research centers.
A field visit to OEP station at El-Grine (Kairouan) was organized on the second day of the workshop. During this visit the participants had a chance to witness the following:
- The newly upgraded seed processing unit - The processed barley variety “Konooz” which will be delivered to the BMZ funded
project “Mind the Gap” as an example of a product from new technology ready for adoption
- One of the cactus choppers in action; and - Visit plots of forage cultivation for seed multiplication.
Based on the discussions that took place throughout the workshop, the main achievements and recommendations could be summarized as follow:
As a result of the project, OEP is now well equipped with a functional seed processing unit in terms of equipment as well as qualified staff that can run the unit.
There is an urgent need to resolve the issue related to the provision of wheat bran (at subsidized price or the right quantity?) to the 4 feed block entrepreneurs. Progress has been made at regional level and particularly in Kairouan, where OEP in collaboration with local authority got the green light from the Governor of Kairouan to provide what is needed for the unit in Hafouz. For the remaining units, a solution should be reached at the national level to resolve this issue so that wheat bran can be supplied to the entrepreneurs.
The IP concept is new in Tunisia and further sensitization is needed for all stakeholders including decision makers and development agencies.
The presentation made by Prof. Thabet Boubaker (consultant) on the characterization of the project target sites and the indicators that came out of the survey data was well appreciated, especially by the DG of OEP who invited him to OEP HQs to make the same presentation for directors.
The capacity development component offered through this project exceeded expectation of the partners. In particular, the training course on project development and the traveling workshop that took place in Jordan equipped the participants with field experience to witness the different theories in practice. Mr. Nasri emphasized the importance of these courses, with the hope that ICARDA will continue to offer such trainings and workshops in the future.
Another accomplishment realized due to this project is the participation of ICARDA scientists and NARS partners in the International Cactus Pear Congress held in Chile in Mach 2017, as well as the joint book publication with FAO entitled “Crop Ecology, Cultivation and Uses of Cactus Pear”. The book is now being translated from English to Arabic for those who are not proficient in English.
The feed block is affected by the quality of the straw and based on the video displayed during the workshop the straw was made of large particle size. It was
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decided to equip the 4 entrepreneurs with a small chopper using the remaining fund of the project.
Finally, the project duration was too short to assess the impact of the established/disseminated technology. This highlights the need for a second phase to monitor and evaluate the project’s impact at farm level.
Training and Human Capacity Development
Capacity development covered some 334 people, with the highest number of trainees being farmers (216) on silage making. A total of 115 OEP and CRDA technicians benefitted from various sources of training, while 3 students benefitted through obtaining degree or summer trainings at INAT.
Training Date Number of
participants
Innovation Platform (local) 23-24/02/2016 24
Seed processing and seed unit maintenance (local) 3-5/10/2016, 05/2016
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Data collection and analysis and business plan development (local)
18-22/7/2016 30
International course- forage and pasture seed production (Lebanon)
23-27/5/2016 2
Sustainable forage evaluation (local) 18-22/7/2017 18
Project design – logframe (local) 11-14/9/2017 24
Travelling workshop to Jordan 2-6/10/2017 7
Field days on silage making for farmers and technicians
Throughout the project life time
216
Degree training (INAT) Throughout the project life time
1
Students summer training (INAT) Summer 206 2
Total 334
Agricultural Innovations and Innovation Platforms Participants from OEP and CRDA were trained in order to facilitate new innovation platforms. The objectives of the training were to understand and discuss the challenges of agricultural innovations, acquire the process of stakeholder analysis, understand the concept of Innovation Platforms and plan the first meetings of the Innovation Platforms at regional level.
Silage Production Silage making technology, as a way of conserving fodder for the dry season, was relatively new in the project intervention area, with only a handful of farmers presently using this
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practice for conserving fodder. OEP organized nine open field days with theoretical and practical trainings, demonstrating the technology to livestock farmers and the importance of silage towards closing the feed gap for livestock. The theoretical training covered silage making, cost of production and cost / benefit analysis of this technology. Practical exercises included technical skills like cutting of oats, heap making, coverage and other general operations when making silage.
Seed Production and Treatment The training workshop on the practical operation, adjustment and maintenance of the complete seed processing plant was organized by ICARDA. Participants from OEP, Office des cereals and CRDA attended the training where the focus was on:
o Critical issues in forage and pasture production systems including their classification, choice of species, approaches to improve the production systems, successful establishment of production systems, seed production and delivery options;
o Functions of components of the seed processing plant, practical demonstration of settings of the plant, its operation, adjustment for different crops and problem shooting.
Data analysis and Business Plan Development The 5-day training workshop on survey design, data management and business plan development for OEP staff and the four FBMU entrepreneurs was aimed at enabling OEP staff to play an active role in the baseline survey and data analysis using SPSS statistical software. The second part of the training focused on developing a business plan. A business plan template was explained and four working groups, around one feed block entrepreneur each, were asked to develop a first draft of the business plan. The entrepreneurs were asked to complete the plan after the training. With support from OEP, ICARDA and INAT, the four business plans were completed and reviewed in a participatory manner and are available in French and in English. The business plans assisted the entrepreneurs to identify the most beneficial composition of feed blocks during different periods of the year, with regards to the availability of agro-industrial byproducts in their region and to determine the key economic and financial data.
Project Management “Logframe and Result Chain“ The need for some training on “project logframe and result chains” was expressed by several partners, in particular OEP. The general objective was to enable participants in formulating a development project. The training was implemented during 4 days by Dr Jutta Werner and Mr. Udo Rudiger. Participants came from OEP, AVFA, APIA and INRAT. Major components of the training focused on how to implement an impact pathway, problem tree, the structure of the logical framework, how to formulate indicators, action plan, monitoring and evaluation, reporting and budgeting.
Evaluation of Sustainable Forage Production The aim of this training course was to enhance the capacity of the engineers and technical staff involved in forage production and management from OEP as well as students from Tunisian Higher School of Agriculture. The training was delivered during 3 days by Drs Mounir Louhaichi and Sawsan Hassan. A total of 18 participants benefited from this course. The training course included both theoretical and practical training on the estimation of vegetation cover, forage biomass, quality determination and the principles of forage experiments:
o Challenges and opportunities for forage production systems in the dry areas
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o Principles of forage experiments (experimental design)
o Estimation of forage biomass, related to plant cover using VegMeasure software
The training which was appreciated by all participants was attended by the OEP DG., Given the innovative approach adopted in this course, each participant was equipped with a laptop, a digital camera with built in GPS capabiliy and a specialised software, so as to be able to implement and apply the training obtained from this course.
Traveling Workshop From the 2nd to the 6th October 2017, a traveling workshop was organized by Dr Mounir Louhaichi in Jordan. Seven participants representing different institutions under the Tunisian Minisry of Agriculture including OEP, International Cooperation, Union of Farmers, and the General Director for Agricultural Production. The visit was aimed at exploring best practices of feed and forage production in a country known for its water scarcity and extreme aridity. The workshop program included the following visits:
o ICARDA Field Gene Bank at Mchaqqar Research Station
o Forage production using treated waste water on station and at farmer’s fields
o USAID SEED project for seedlings production which is led by trained women
o Fodder corn silage making at farmer’s field
o Intensive sheep production system (Assaf breed)
o Factory for making animal feed pellets.
Lessons Learned
One of the major lessons learned is that the development of a business around an innovative technology like the semi-industrial feed block production can hardly become sustainable within less than two years. This business is so complex and requires close collaboration between many actors and partners to make it successful. The manufacturing of the machines were timely and all four machines were available within six months. The identification of beneficiaries and available AGIBPs were equally ready after six months. However, handing over of the machines to the entrepreneurs took another half a year due to unclear administrative procedures (GIZ / ICARDA / OEP). The installation of the “three phase” by STEG (national energy agency) necessary to run the machine and the final installation of the machines through the manufacturer again took several months. In addition, the slow and complex administrative procedures of the three partners (GIZ, ICARDA and OEP) were a serious constraint and time-consuming. There is a need to simplify these in the future, so that the project implementation is not delayed unnecessarily. Another lesson learned is that business development becomes difficult when relying on governmental quota for subsidized products like wheat bran or barley. Both products are in high demand as animal feed by farmers and feed manufacturing enterprises. Unfortunately, barley and wheat bran are important ingredients for feed blocks and to obtain a quota as a new feed block manufacturing entrepreneur is a challenge which has not been solved even at this present stage. This means the lobbying for quotas should have started earlier, to ensure that the project is well on course with its deliverables and expectations.
Future Needs
All activities from the project’s action plan, and more, have been successfully implemented. However, the overall project outcomes cannot be measured, as there is a need to assess the performances of the four enterprises during the current agricultural season (olive cropping season only starts in December 2017). Meanwhile, it is absolutely necessary to
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provide further support and guidance to the four entrepreneurs and to make sure that national agencies provide them with sufficient amounts of bran and barley grain. The issue of bran and barley quotas is already solved for Kairouan and the expectation is that it will be also solved soon in the other Governorates. Also, the entrepreneurs need technical support to ensure quality production of the blocks, as well as marketing support to sell their production. Quality control and certification of feed blocks should be done by the responsible governmental institution (DGPQCA) to create confidence at farmer level. Feed blocks are still new for many farmers, implying that training and sensitizing activities are equally important for a successful scaling and advancement of this innovation. Feed Resource Innovation Platforms were introduced during the project’s period but are not yet institutionalized. OEP, as the major public actor dealing with feed resources, should integrate IPs in its annual plan of work and provide the necessary budget and staff for their operation. The IP concept is new in Tunisia and further sensitization is needed for all stakeholders including decision-makers and development agencies. Farmers’ concerns should be taken into consideration and new types of feed resources like pellets, made from AGIBPs and mesh, should be considered, tested and piloted before going to full scale. Compared to feed blocks, pellets have the competitive advantage of being easier to handle but the cost of machinery is higher (250,000 $US) and can only be adopted by large industries. As recommended during the project’s final workshop, OEP will include the purchase and distribution of locally made cactus choppers in its strategy towards cactus development which is largely subsidized. Locally made motorized cactus choppers need to be promoted and recommended for large farmers and for dairy cattle producing units. To secure a sustainable impact of the project component “feed block business development”, it is absolutely crucial that the four entrepreneurs who received the FB have access to wheat bran and barley. This is because both ingredients are essential parts of feed blocks and are distributed according to quota, provided by governmental institutions.
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Annex: List of Acronyms
AGIBP Agro-industrial by-products BMZ Bundesministerium fuer wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung CRDA Commissariat Régional de Développement Agricole DGPA Direction Generale de la Production Agricole DGPQCA Direction Général pour la Protection et le Contrôle de Qualité des Produits
Agricoles FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FB Feed Block FBMU Feed Block Manufacturing Unit GDA Groupement de Développement Agricole GIZ Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas INAT Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie IP Innovation Platform IRESA Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles ISTA International Seed Testing Association OEP Office de l’Elevage et des Pâturages SIAT Salon International de l’Investissement Agricole et de la technologie en
Tunisie SMSA Société Mutuelle de Service Agricole SPSS Statistical Packages for Social Sciences UTAP Union Tunisien de l’Agriculture et de la Pêche VC Value Chain
