Phase 1. Typification of dairy systems
Phase 2. Characterization of a specific dairy system.
Phase 3. Seeking ways to enhance the development of specific dairy systems
Phase 4. Cross-site synthesis
The various objectives and research activities have been catagorised in phases, corresponding to their scope (system, subsystem, components) and balanced by the depth of study required (Figure 2). Four phases have been identified as part of this conceptual framework, and are described hereunder. "Phase" does not imply an absolute sequence in time, although all phases are presented in a logical order.
Figure 2. Research phases for the study of dairy system.
General identification of types of dairy systems to reflect and understand the main characteristics of production, processing, marketing and consumption subsystems
Objectives
- To understand the extent of variation (similarity/dissemblance) of dairy systems over a large geographical region- To discern the relative importance and geographical coverage of the respective dairy system or subsystems in SSA
- To identify trends of dairy systems development in SSA
- To determine representativeness of sites where, or dairy system upon which, research is, has been or will be carried out.
Methods
For typification, information will be gathered at the dairy system level (a location). Information will be mostly qualitative, and might involve the level of magnitude of some quantitative data. Key informants in each location will be surveyed to collect those data.
Detailed characterisation of a dairy system which includes quantification of its subsystems, components and subcomponents at the household level for production and consumption, and at the levels of individual processing and marketing units.
Objectives
- To provide baseline data on the dairy system performance- To understand factors influencing dairy production: constraints and opportunities, farmers' rationale and objectives
- To understand linkages between different subsystems and their influence on the development of the dairy system
- To identify and prioritise researchable issues which make an impact on the development of dairy system (at the component level)
Methods
A sampling technique and a set of instruments will be determined for the characterisation of each subsystem (at the household level for production and consumption, and at the level of individual processing and marketing units). Efforts will be made to define a minimum data set on dairy systems to permit system assessment and prioritisation for research. A multidisciplinary baseline analysis of each dairy system will be documented. Methods of ex-ante analysis will be developed to determine the relative advantage of working on a given issue in a given system.
Seeking solutions to lift constraints or take advantage of opportunities relevant to specific dairy systems.
Objectives
- To quantify the impact of constraints on production
- To design and test alternatives to enhance dairy production
- To design and test methodologies.
Method
Most research will be carried out at the component level. Important areas of research where methodologies will be tested include:
* Feed - production interaction
* Animal health - dairy production interaction
* Genetic resources - dairy production interaction
* Animal management- dairy production interaction
* Marketing system - dairy production interaction
* Policies - dairy production interaction.
To synthesise the information collected in phases 2 and 3 in various sites, in order to extrapolate to SSA, and feed back on research needs.
Objectives
- To develop a comprehensive view of dairy systems and of their prospects in sub-Saharan Africa
- To carry out cross-site comparisons of research results for the different types of dairy systems
- To assess the evolution of dairy systems in SSA and project emerging constraints
- To simulate interventions on dairy systems.
Methods
Computer modelling is complementary to field analysis for heuristic purposes; it has also a prospective purpose in assessing the evolution of the system and foreseeing emerging constraints, without intervention and with intervention on the basis of experimental results. Several models might be involved:
* Regional models (policy analysis), at the dairy-system scale
* Farm models (production economics), or other subsystems models
* Component models (biological interactions).
