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Final Remarks and Analysis of Questionnaire S.G. Reynolds E-mail: stephen.reynolds@fao.org
The Conference The Electronic Conference on Tropical Silage ran for just over three months from early September into December 1999. Altogether there were some 355 subscribers from 68 countries [Participants by FAO Region - Africa: 28; Asia 40; Europe: 72; Latin America and the Caribbean: 148: Near East: 7; North America: 20; Southwest Pacific: 25 and Unspecified: 15]. There were 10 main papers and a paper summarising the discussion, as
well as 26 posters. These are now available on the FAO Grassland and Pasture
Crops Group Homepage: http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGP/AGPC/gp/SILAGE/Home.htm
Details of the countries (by FAO region) of subscribers and contributors
(papers and posters) are given in the table below.
The Questionnaire 61 completed questionnaires were returned by the cut-off date. Assuming
all participants received the questionnaire this represents a return rate
of just over 17%. Details of the countries (33) from which completed questionnaires
were returned are given in the table below. The returned questionnaires
have been analysed and results are presented below under three headings:
Details of Participants, The Conference and Silage Making.
Details of Participants Participants were mainly male (90%), in the 31 - 50 year age group (61%) and predominantly academics (34%), researchers (26%) and consultants (16%). 1. Gender Male: 90% Female: 10%
2. Age Group < 30 years: 8% 31-50 years: 61% > 51 years: 31%
3. Occupation Farmer: 3% Extension Officer: 3% Teacher: 5% University Lecturer/Reader/Professor: 34% Consultant: 16% Policy maker: 1% Other: 38%* [* including Researcher: 26%; Postgraduate Student: 5%; Retiree: 3%] Comment: A number of respondents ticked more than
one box, as they were, for example, both lecturers and consultants.
The Conference Most participants were happy with the duration of the conference and the interval at which papers were posted (84% and 94% respectively). Although 97% indicated that the main papers covered their main interests in silage making, several respondents would have liked more information on smallholder silage production with the focus on practical case studies and economics. 43% mentioned that they learned something from all or most of the papers, 18% did not answer this question while others listed a number of specific papers, which they found particularly interesting. 98% of respondents were satisfied with the sending of papers by e-mail and their posting on the website. Although the Proceedings will initially be available in English, the language preference if the Proceedings are translated in future, remained English (72%), followed by Spanish (22%) and then French (5%). This may, however, not represent the actual need on a worldwide basis. 1. Duration Too Long: 13% Just Right: 84% Too Short: 3% Comment: One respondent would have preferred a
longer conference to discuss work in progress on silage.
2. Paper Interval Too Frequent: 3% Just Right: 94% Not Frequent Enough: 3%
3. Main Interest Covered Yes: 97% No: 3% Comment: Several respondents would have liked more
information on smallholder silage production and economics; practical case
studies on smallholder scale silage making, extension and technology adoption
and silage making as part of the farm system.
4. Most Interesting Papers (s) 18% did not answer this question while 43% mentioned that they learned something from all or most of the papers. Where individual papers or posters were mentioned the five most frequently listed were: "The future of silage making in the tropics"
- 't Mannetje
"Grass and legume silage in the tropics" - Titterton and Bareeba "Silage fermentation processes and their manipulation" - Oude Elferink et al. "Little bag silage" - Lane "Use of ensiled forages in large scale animal production systems" - Cowan
Yes: 98% No: 2% Comment: The one negative comment related to problems
with a PC.
6. Language of Proceedings [Initially in English, but if translated in future, preferred language] English: 72% French: 5% Spanish: 21% Comment: One respondent listed Portuguese and several
mentioned both English and/or Spanish. One respondent noted that as co-ordinator
of an international course on tropical animal production and health attended
by veterinarians and agronomists from French speaking countries, a French
translation of the Proceedings would be welcome as there is much good material.
Silage Making 1. Silage making in respondents' area (type of activity - large farm or smallholder) Yes: 77% No: 20% Comment: 3% did not answer this question. As replies came from respondents in developed and developing countries
then answers tended to vary accordingly. In most of the developed countries
silage making was widely practised on both large, medium and small farms
(round bales and plastic wrap technology in addition to pit and tower silos)
and both in the dairy (mainly) and beef sectors. In developing countries
silage making was mainly restricted to some of the larger (dairy) farms,
although it was noted in Thailand that in year 2000 it is hoped to demonstrate
silage making to 600 smallholders. In Kenya where 80% of the milk is produced
by smallholders it was recognised that there is a need to encourage greater
adoption of silage (and hay) making.
2. Future of silage Silage making: reduce the negative impact of bad silage making by ensuring that basic principles of good silage making are understood and applied; reduce the moisture percentage before ensiling materials, use high quality materials and focus on grass/legume silage because inputs likely to be much lower than maize/sorghum and other silages; several respondents noted that the simple and cost free process of wilting the source material prior to ensiling greatly enhances the quality of the silage and rate of success; farmers have often had poor experience because the material has been too wet; promote the use of molasses with tropical grass silage; focus on by-product silage production with simple technology (and variable formula depending on resources available) to ensure continuity of feed supply in dry season (with benefits through more income, food security and less environmental pollution). research for the development of silage making technologies should be conducted with farmers; intensify participatory research especially in silage additives and machinery; need techniques for production of small quantities of silage (e.g. little bag silage ) which are practical and easy for small farmers to use and which can be developed in co-operation with the farmers to suit both their environments and resources. in some countries there may be scope for the development of silage making by smallholders for selling on to other farmers, peri-urban dairies etc. In Pakistan it was suggested that silage making needs to be commercialised; several respondents suggested that because of the costs involved there was a need for government sponsored silage making projects. In the Northern Territory of Australia there might be scope for smallholders to produce and sell small bale silage, but likely to need silage contractor service to provide machinery on contract basis when needed. some countries identified specific research needs such as Malaysia where
focus is needed on the promotion of oil palm frond silage for beef and
milk production.
Dissemination of knowledge: more extension and demonstration; Technology uptake: need for greater focus on participatory methodologies when introducing such technologies on farms; General need to be able to demonstrate to farmers that well made silage pays off in increased returns; (b) Suggestions for priority actions (and by whom) research organisations to evaluate technologies and the benefits of silage making/utilisation under appropriate farmer conditions before widely recommending technologies; in particular look for simpler and less expensive methods of silage making for smallholders; costing of silage making is a very important area and there is need to identify where silage making is profitable (and be aware that use is likely to be tied to the accessibility to farmers of high value markets for animal products to compensate for the cost of inputs required); although in-depth analysis was lacking the conference has been very useful for extension workers;
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