This manual is part of ILCA's efforts to prepare appropriate materials for each of ILCA's training courses. The manual has nine course modules, the main text of which serve as lecture notes for the Livestock Policy Analysis Course. Reference lists have been included at the end of each module. The nine modules deal with:
· the definition of policy concepts
· the identification of policy issues
· production systems, supply and demand
· market, price and trade policies
· marketing and distribution systems
· principles of budget and manpower planning
· land tenure
· report writing and communication
· a central case study.
Several design features have been incorporated to make the manual easy to use. All modules begin with a statement of performance objectives. This provides instructors and participants with an overview of what participants are expected to have learned at the completion of each module. Second, examples, practice exercises and important points are provided throughout. Third, at the end of each module, feedback exercises are provided. These are intended to help participants gauge the level of their understanding of key ideas contained in each module.
In addition, important concepts are highlighted in bold type. Boxes are used to develop some of these concepts in greater depth. The main text is also punctuated by "hints to instructors". These consist mainly of additional points that are interesting or important, but which, for reasons of simplicity and space, are not dealt with at length in the text.
Module 9 contains a central case study of the hypothetical country Alphabeta. The module is intended to provide a concrete illustration of the problems and concepts introduced in the lecture notes. It uses data drawn from several African countries, and as such, is a composite. Some of the boxes found within individual modules use material from the central case study to support points made in the lecture notes. Exercises found in individual modules also use the central case study as a reference.
It is hoped that readers find the manual useful and interesting.
In addition to scientists' contributions, several individuals contributed to the preparation of the manual. My special thanks go to three secretaries, Sosena Tilahun, Brucktayet W. Mariam and Tsige Amare and graphic artists Mandefro H. Giorgis and Abdulhakeem Mohammed for their valuable assistance.
Dated: 30 September 1993
Bansh R. Tripathi
Head of Training
ILCA
