Pilot project for increasing milk production among small coastal farmers in Guyana
1986
Osuji, P.O. | Cumberbatch, R.N. | Richards, C.K. | Porter, A.N. | Macoon, R.B. (National Agricultural Research Inst., Demerara (Guyana))
Broad objectives of the project were to increase the number of animals milked, improve feeding and husbandry practices and to arrive at more reliable marketing arrangements. A study of the existing farming systems showed that the project farmers own land, and have been involved in livestock rearing for a number of years. They engaged in other agricultural activities but no farmer worked in any off farm activity. Farmers were satisfied with a constant production level, earning a fixed daily income, hence milk yields were relatively constant throughout the year. Pasture management, ticks and record keeping, with the exception of milk sales records, appeared to be of little importance. Some concern was shown over water availability and the swollen hoof problem. High costs and unavailability of drugs limited deworming of animals. Reproductive management was simple with no control over breeding. The project farmers were readily receptive to new ideas and techniques but preferred to accept change only when forced to do so
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