Promotion of Technology Options to Enhance Backyard Goat Farm Performance in Northern Mindanao, Philippines

A project on farm-based promotion of alternative management options and farm recording through the FLS-GEM modality was implemented in Northern Mindanao, Philippines to enhance goat farm performance. A curriculum was developed by PCAARRD which was transposed into a manual which served as material in training national facilitators. National facilitators from Northern Mindanao, in turn, conducted 2 batches of Regional Training of Trainors (ToT) producing 42 graduates, majority of whom are from the Local Government Units (LGU). Farmers were trained by these graduates on goat management interventions by attending classes at farmers convenient time. Classes are held in a weekly basis for 4 hours in 28 meetings. Ten (10) percent of the trained farmers were assessed by monitoring their farm monthly. Data gathered included inventory, dam performance, and health. Results revealed that FLS-GEM can be a modality in reaching out farmers using the developed curriculum. Gathered data indicated an increase in the birth weight from 1.7 to 2.15 kg, weaning weight of 19.6 from 15 kg was noted. The kidding interval was shortened from 247 to 245days and mortality from 5.01 to 2.9 % of ages 1-3 months. Mortality of those below 1 month also reduced to 2.7 from 3.01 %.