Farmer participation in Indonesian livestock farming systems by regular research field hearings (RRFH)

Abstract

Farming systems research (FSR) is continuously challenged to maintain the motivation of farmers and scientists to collaborate in on-farm research. This is especially true for livestock farming systems research, which tends to be overlooked. Factors such as mobility of animals and their long life-cycle, lack of synchronization of experimental units, non-divisibility and size of units, multiplicity of outputs, and high statistical variability also constrain livestock-oriented FSR and aggravate the problems of on-farm livestock research. During the testing stage of FSR, Regular Research Field Hearings (RRFH) can improve communication between scientists and farmers, thereby increasing mutual understanding and willingness to collaborate in evaluating potential technologies, and test results. Attendance records and discussion-participation rates indicate that RRFH have been successful in Indonesian small-ruminant research.