Abstract:
This manual has been written for people working in national agricultural research systems (NARS) in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also relevant to those involved in training and programme planning for the livestock sectors in the region.
The manual assumes a basic understanding of the farming systems research1 approach and provides a comprehensive bibliography on the subject? It draws mainly, but not exclusively, on the research experiences of the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) and emphasises those areas in which particular expertise has been developed.
A discussion of on-station research methodology is not included, since this subject is dealt with elsewhere in the literature (e.g. Little and Hills, 1978), but the importance of maintaining strong links between on-farm and on-station research is emphasised (Module 2, Section 2). The focus is on the principles of livestock systems research which are generally applicable to the different types of production system (pastoral, agropastoral and mixed) in Africa, and when differences occur, they are given specific attention.
Part A of this Introduction gives a brief outline of the theory and practice of livestock systems research for those who wish to refresh their minds about the basic concepts and stages involved in this type of research. Part B shows how ILCA has been involved in systems research, and Part C outlines the structure of the manual by section and module to facilitate its use.
