learning-workshop_1_Introduction

= **imGoats project: Learning and reflection workshop** = == Udaipur, India, 2-6 July 2012 ==

Welcome and introduction by Dr. N.G. Hegde, Trustee and Principal Advisor, BAIF
Ranjitha left but Saskia came to fill the gap. Big expectations from Ann to revisit in this workshop This learning workshop is a useful opportunity to take stock of what has been achieved in the past 15 months and see what we can do better in the remaining six months of the project.

Introduction by Saskia Hendrickx, imGoats Project Coordinator
The project is going well, we have a good team. There is another 6 months to go/ We have to take stock of what we have done so far. We are doing so many things that we need to reflect on the lessons learnt to share with others. Hopefully by Friday we’ll have clear ideas about what we need to do and how to package our work to show that we are doing good work. Have you done the OM preparatory work that was planned? Yes (Mozambique, Rajasthan)

River of life
What background led you here, what is going to change in your work/organization as as result of this workshop?

Impressions about what participants learned about their colleagues:
 * There is a lot of interest in learning about the value chain aspects of the project
 * There is a wealth of experience in the livestock sector present in the room; a number of people have worked in the sector for 20-30 years.

Insights about common or interesting outlier expectations?

India (Presentation by Dr Deo Avinash, BAIF)

 * Project sites, details and activities were outlined - Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Pune
 * Improved management practices
 * 104 focus group meetings have been conducted
 * 8 innovation platform (IP) meetings in Jhadol-Kanthariya
 * Discussions about good health practices
 * One key learning point is the need for improved organization of goat keepers through co-operatives at village level
 * Producer representation: There are 18 villages and 8-10 producer groups per village are represented on the IP
 * Several strategies are proposed for goat development

Mozambique (Presentation by Roberto Cassiano and Amosse Maheme, CARE Mozambique)
Q: Are you developing new breeds? A: No, this is the same local breed that we are aiming at improving before looking at other breeds. Q: How do you select model farmers? A: They need to be motivated, communities themselves volunteer. There is no minimal amount of animals but usually volunteers have 10-20 animals and have some commercial aptitudes, and they are usually located in easy places for demonstration roles.
 * Livestock group formation and training (weekly meetings and visited by extension officers every 2 weeks);
 * Training of 16 paravets (//field guides//);
 * Support to 1 vet drug supplier in Mangugumete with links to suppliers in Maxixe;
 * 12 communal pasture;
 * Development of 5 model farmers and building kraals for model farmers;
 * Commercialisation activities including aggregation of animals and linkages to local/national buyers.
 * Commercialisation activities including aggregation of animals and linkages to local/national buyers.