Farmer prepares boxes of tomatoes for transport to market

During the Regional Workshop “Knowledge and Technology Exchange for Enhanced Quality of IFAD/ICARDA Operations in the NENA Region” in Aleppo from 26 to 29 November 2009, the field visits to the El Bab Project and the Idleb Rural Development Project illustrated the theme of "linking farmers to markets" described by Sandrine Jacqueson below:

El Bab Project

Three main activities were seen during the visit in Tel Tahien/Barshaya:

• The milking ramp
• The milk processing facility
• Technologies for better milk processing

All of these activities aim to improve hygiene for a better quality product, including its flavour, texture and sourness, in order to respond to local market needs. Indeed, quality milk results from a chain of activities, starting with quality animals, trained farmers and milk handlers. The quality of yogurt primarily depends on the quality of the milk.

Lesson learned: A better quality product is essential to meet market needs and is important in better linking farmers to markets and increasing farmers’ sources of income. Indeed, market needs are met through enhancing quality, production efficiency and marketing, which adds increased value to the final products. 

Idleb Rural Development Project

The group visited a mushroom farm launched by Mr. Abdulaziz Ismael, who received vocational training and technical support from the project. The income he generates is enough to support his whole family, which includes six people. At the launch of his activity, he encountered some difficulties in selling his mushrooms on the local market. Because people were not familiar with these kinds of mushrooms and how to cook them, they were reluctant to buy them. To promote his products, he educated buyers by teaching them how to cook the mushrooms.

Lesson learned: This demonstrates the importance of conducting preliminary market surveys to identify market demand and available opportunities before launching products/activities in order to realize profits more quickly from investments.

ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) presented the animal research laboratory which includes an experimental flock/herd of small ruminants, an animal nutrition and health lab and a milk processing plant. The research supported by the animal nutrition and health lab aims at analysing the quality of feeds, milk and milk products. The milk processing plant produces dairy products and supports research to solve problems encountered by farmers in processing milk into products, diversifying production and training. Research is done on the quality (including flavour and consistency) of yogurt produced from sheep and goat milk.

Lesson learned: Local research supports farmers on options/training for better quality products to be sold in local markets and reinforces the capacity of local farmers to be better linked to markets.