2.1. Project target groups
2.2. The extension component of the project at the present
2.3. Extension and communication needs
- General features.
Project activities involve a variety of target groups. The most important are the ultimate beneficiaries, the livestock operators which are divided according to their movements for grazing the herds into three groups: settled, semi-settled and nomads. In general terms the nomadic groups (sheep and camel herders) maintain a presence in the area which varies from 6 to 8 months according to the seasonal rainfall and availability of pasture. Bedouins communities and household are mainly devoted to sheep and camel breeding. Typical households include not only a nuclear family but extended families totalling 8-12 persons per household. Both the camel herders as well the sheep herders consider themselves as members of natural groups, the tribes. Each tribe is divided into sub-groups related to some influential person, the muhtar.
According to the PRA outcomes (Chatty 1997:2) members of the cooperatives are divided into two groups: livestock herders, generally living in tents, and sheep owners and merchants, generally living in cement houses in the villages (these can also have mobile tent household as well). Furthermore, in the cooperatives areas there are many Bedouins who are not cooperative members but spend part of the year in the area. They are also being considered by the project as target group.
According to the surveys carried out by the project, the literacy rate in the area is very low: among the settled households 85 % of men and 96 % of women are illiterate while among nomads more than 95% of men and close to 100 % of women are illiterate. At the same time the presence of mass media in the area is quite impressive. Data collected by the project show that 36 % of camel herders households have television while 42 % have radio. These equipment are normally powered by diesel generators. According to the information collected by the extension unit Bedouins' interest is mainly related to films about life in the steppe, and to weather forecast and news programme. An increased interest for soap opera has also been noticed. Bedouins have access to two other official and external sources of information: the veterinarian services and cooperatives. The cooperatives provide information mainly related to fodder delivery and similar topics, while the information delivered by the veterinarians is related to emergencies and normally based on scientific terminology. There is a great demand among Bedouins for veterinarian assistance and training.
In the project area the following schools are available:
- Arak: primary school
- Mumbateh: primary school
In Palmyra there are several schools at different levels: primary, intermediary and secondary. A small clinic is available in Arak while another one is in Palmyra. There is telephone service in Mumbateh, Arak and Palmyra.
In Syria there is no extension service attending Bedouins needs. This is due to the operational philosophy of the Syrian Extension Systems, formally based on a methodology of training and visits, and working mainly in the agricultural sector. This is also due to the difficulty to set up appropriate servicing for Bedouins because of their frequent movements covering large distances. Another constraint for traditional extension activities is the lack of "messages and packages" due to total absence of fundamental and adaptive research, while Bedouins traditional knowledge on rangeland and animal breeding is very broad.
In Bedouin society important decisions are mainly taken at household level. Decisions like when to move to another area apparently involve only individual households, but sometime interest groups carry out specific activities, such as the construction of dicks for water. Regularities have been noticed in the seasonal movements of the households but no standardised pattern according to tribes or households has been identified until now. Therefore it is difficult to target and monitor training activities to be carried out by the extension staff on a regular basis.
Special consideration is given by the project to Bedouin women. Recent studies show that at least 78% of women take active part in sheep rearing. Women have a very substantial work load during the lambing and milking season, when they are the primary work force for milking and hand feeding the family flock. Women and girls are also responsible for firewood and water fetching. Milk processing is also considered as women work. Women's workload is very heavy, indeed heavier than man's, at most time of the year. Furthermore, as indicated by the literacy rate, women have limited access to education. According to these features the project decided to consider women as priority target.
- Target groups prioritised by the project
Project activities are related to a wide range of measures for sustainable rangeland and wildlife management which imply the involvement of several stakeholders. Therefore, an increased awareness about problems and solutions the project is dealing with is also required. As underlined by the tripartite review, in order to ensure sustainability and equity for rangeland measures especially, once rangeland is rehabilitated, attention should be given to the land tenure problem. It will imply the involvement of national institutions and policy makers.
According to PRA results, an important aspect to be considered is the existence of different interest groups. For example, villagers and sheep merchants' are very much against having any more land "lost" to reseeding, while Bedouin herders are very much in favour of this in order to improve the range. One of the most challenging tasks of the project, while creating awareness regarding environmental problems, is to reach consensus on the conservation measures among the different target groups and to ensure a positive "climate" for enabling a policy regarding the use of the range and the land tenure. Appropriate communication activities have to be undertaken to prepare the ground for this kind of social interaction which will facilitate improved rangeland and wildlife sustainable management. To ensure effectiveness of activities being implemented by the extension unit, according to the immediate objectives of the project at the present, but also considering further development of rangeland initiatives, the project prioritised target groups according to the following list:
Ranking of target groups prioritised by the project:1. nomadic sheep herders
2. camel herders
3. semi-settled sheep herders
4. Local institutions/policy makers
5. Schools
6. General public
As mentioned, earlier women are always considered as a priority target whatever social group they are involved, facilitating their active participation in any extension work being implemented. Another important activity is to enhance local participation by establishing collaborative agreements with target groups for implementing rangeland activities. This is the case of camel herders, which have been allowed to graze in the reserve. Furthermore, six collaborative actions have been prioritised and immediate follow-up has been given (marking out corridors in the reserve areas, provide access to water sources coming out from the reserve etc.). These are the basis for establishing a solid rangeland and wildlife management collaborative process.
- Extension activities carried out
Until now the work developed by the extension unit has been mainly devoted to carrying out activities related to the overall social component, namely research and participatory assessment and planning of project activities. Another important task has been to inform Bedouin households about project objectives and activities through direct contacts (meetings, PRA exercises, field activities etc.). Within the extension team there is enough commitment and willingness to work at field level as well to reach concrete results, but the lack of extension messages and communication materials to work with, as well as the expectations for the results of the PRA process in order to finalise the overall strategy and the extension programme, have limited the possibilities for undertaking extension activities on a regular basis. The project is now validating technical recommendation to be delivered to the Bedouins according to preliminary extension needs identified. At the moment it is difficult for the project to act as an integrated rural development project. In fact, due to its short duration, it might lead to dispersion of the project's resources and generate expectations without being able to satisfy them. In a second phase, the project could eventually consider the possibility to act as a facilitating agency, by co-ordinating interventions of other institutions according to identified needs. It is therefore recommended that the project concentrates on sustainable wildlife and range management topics generating technical information relevant to Bedouin needs. This technical information should be processed by the extension unit according to communication methodology, and diffused by using appropriate extension activities and communication tools.
The extension staff has very limited knowledge of communication for development methods and techniques. An intense training in participatory message design and production of low cost communication materials is required (see also Recommendation for strategy implementation). Nevertheless, the national extension consultant is an experienced specialist who can take care of implementing and supervising intensive training and communication material production (not radio), once the final version of the extension/communication plan will be approved.
Furthermore the national extension consultant prepared guidelines based on PRA tools and techniques which have been incorporated in the daily work of the extension unit (T. Razouk PRA In Extension. A Special Methodology Design for the Bedouins of the Syrian Steppe).
- Communication materials developed
At the moment the project is still concentrating in raising awareness of all stakeholders on the need for the establishing a rangeland and wildlife scheme. Messages have been delivered until now through direct contacts and meetings. At the same time several attempts to produce communication materials have been undertaken such as:
- PostersUntil now the extension unit has concentrated on the production of visual aids, especially posters. At the moment a set of 13 posters has been produced in draft form. Two of them have been field tested with Bedouins. This activity has to be considered as parallel to the regular activity of the extension unit because the posters have been prepared under the supervision of the national extension consultant, by the students of the Agricultural Extension course at the University of Aleppo as practice for their degree. The messages to be addressed were already available in the project. The general objective was to raise Bedouins awareness on sustainable rangeland and wildlife management also showing problems with cultivation. It was supposed to use the posters by placing them in critical locations such as the headquarters of the Co-operatives, water points, cheese processing facilities and on Bedouins cars. All posters included drawings and generally they would show two different aspects of the same message: the negative aspect and the positive. Only two posters out of 13 were tested by the extension staff at field level. The criteria considered were: age, sex, level of education; understanding of the general message; time taken to read the message; comments on how to improve the presentation. The main topics and messages presented by the posters are:
1. Sustainable use of rangeland:- advantages of preserving plots from grazing
- consequences of degradation caused by cultivation
- problems for intensive animal production
- problems caused by agriculture to the grazing environment
- problems caused by uprooting and overgrazing shrubs
- lack of grass for sheep2. Environmental care:
- degradation and pollution problems
- animals disappearing due to hunting3. Animal care:
- need for animal health control (by veterinarians)The draft posters have been carefully analysed by the consultant and the national extension specialist. It was agreed that, in many cases they represent the view of an urban person trying to make appealing to Bedouins a message already defined in another environment. The style of the drawings is similar to comics or caricatures and does not have references with the reality of Al-Badia. The entire process of preparing the message in an external environment and by literate people to convince Bedouins, even if it is inspired by the good intention of providing the project with supporting materials, is a wrong way of addressing the problems and presenting possible solutions. This process should be undertaken jointly with final users who have to be involved in message design and material development to ensure that the material will present a message related to their reality, culturally appropriate, and responding to local graphic and visual codes. It is therefore recommended the preparation of posters to be done at project level, by involving a talented local artist who can join extension unit activities, such as PRA exercise and meetings with local people, in order to quickly sketch problems and people's views, visualise ideas, and prepare draft materials to be field tested by the extension unit.
- Video and play scripts
Several video scripts and shootings have been prepared by the national extension consultant, and in particular:
1. Talila.A full script in Arabic for the production of a documentary about project activities has been prepared. About 80 % of the video footage is already available in VHS format but there are still some difficulties in finding editing facilities. The preparation of the video is an urgent task to support project presentations for Bedouins and general public.
2. Seed Production Techniques.
This video programme is aimed at informing technicians about different seed production techniques. At the moment 70 % of video shots is available. Some important footage of seed collection is missing but it could be substitute with photographs.
Furthermore a scenario for a play called "Saleh" was prepared to reach awareness about environmental degradation. It is intended to have this play video recorded in order to present it through television broadcasting and video playback.
(Please note guidelines for production of both video programme are presented in annexes 7 and 8 of the present report.)
- Leaflet
A three pages leaflet with photographs was produced and distributed to present the project.
- Documentary activities
The activities of the project are normally documented through photographs and video recording. Until now an enormous quantity of slides and photos have been collected regarding technical topics. Several video shots have been filmed for further editing. At the moment nobody of the extension staff has received training in video production.
- Displays
The extension unit has prepared visual displays of project activities (photographs on board) and placed them in the corridors of Al Badia Directorate. This is a good communication tool for the rest of the personnel to learn about project activities. Displays can also been carried elsewhere for presentations.
- Equipment and facilities
The extension unit is located within Al Badia Directorate. Five persons work full time in the extension unit. They have access to two rooms equipped with two personal computers. The personnel has been trained in the use of Windows and Excel PC programmes. No desk top publishing training has been carried out.
The project has already both some video equipment and photo cameras (see annex 6). A digital photographic camera as well a scanner have been purchased in order to prepare low cost publications, posters and other visual presentations. Appropriate installation of video equipment as well as for photos and graphic work has to be prepared. It is indispensable for the extension unit to have another room to set up a small multimedia production unit. At the same time one of the project vehicles should be made available full time to the extension unit for field work.
Furthermore, the project should also be equipped with a video playback unit for presentation of video programmes for information and training. It is recommended to buy a combined module (TV with VHS built in) and a power source, such as diesel engine. The playback unit should be protected in a wooden or metal box. It is also very important that the project to buy a low cost video editor to be able to edit short programmes based on the video recording already being undertaken.
A good audio tape recorder together with two low cost tape recorders should be purchased in order to prepare interviews with Bedouins and technicians for future radio broadcasting.
- Extension needs according to PRA
The overall extension component of the project is being designed and implemented according to PRA process. At the present target groups extension needs assessment, as well as other relevant socio-economic data are being analysed. It will provide valuable elements to orient the overall strategy of the project as well as to better specify the extension/communication component. During the mission only preliminary data was available regarding extension needs. An example of most relevant extension needs is presented in the next page (by T. Razouk December 1997). It refers to Camel Herders but, according to the extension staff, the results are applicable also to other nomadic herders.
Nevertheless this needs assessment presented has to be considered as an indicative tool for planning to be improved and specified once PRA outcomes are be systematised (end of January 1998). PRA final results will allow to better target specific extension activities according to each target group.
According to the extension needs identified until now, specific technical subjects should be selected, validated with Bedouins, and developed into extension/communication messages. Careful consideration should also be given to participatory message design including Bedouins perspectives regarding problems and solutions, and by considering traditional knowledge. To this end PRA tools can be used.
- Messages to be delivered by the project
The project has already selected a number of messages to be delivered according to the preliminary results emerging from the PRA extension needs identification, and also taking into consideration its overall objectives. Prioritisation has been done according to immediate needs, and availability of messages related to different technical and social aspects. Until now the project has prioritised the following messages and activities to be delivered at different levels:
At community level- Project activities
An information flow about project activities should be established to raise awareness and to involve people and decision makers and to support project initiatives.
- Sustainable use of rangeland
The project has identified the need to produce a change in Bedouin attitudes regarding the non sustainable use of the range. The project intends to present the problems affecting the range (agriculture, overgrazing and early grazing, firewood collection etc.), and alternative rangeland measures, (e.g. comparing an area managed with rangeland criteria Vs another overexploited).
Ranking of extension needs according to PRA (Camel Herders)
|
No. |
Rank |
Needs |
Specific needs |
Men |
Women |
|
1 |
1 |
Animal health |
Type of camel diseases |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
Ways of avoiding diseases occurrences |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
How to deal with ill animals |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
How to inject animals with antibiotic |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
How to release gazes from swollen animals etc. |
x |
|
|
2 |
3 |
Animal husbandry |
Management of herd |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
Animal in general |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
Mating |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
Culling |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
Male female ratio |
x |
|
|
3 |
2 |
Animal nutrition |
Important feed component in general |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
Feed ratio in general |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
Feed ratio for different stage in the cycle of production |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
Supplementary feeding and pasture |
x |
x |
|
4 |
1 |
Grazing management |
Knowledge of plants |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
How to manage the grazing area |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
The best time to graze and to stop |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
etc. |
|
|
|
5 |
5 |
Animal production |
Camel milk utilisation |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
Cheese making |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
Hair utilisation |
x |
|
|
6 |
1 |
Literacy |
Reading and writing |
|
x |
|
7 |
2 |
Human health |
|
|
x |
|
|
|
|
House care |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
Cocking |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
Food preservation |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
Knitting and sowing |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
Zerb making |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
Clothes Decorating |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
Carpet and "Bust" making |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
Milk processing |
|
x |
- Stop growing barleyThe project wants to inform Bedouins that this decision was taken by the government before the project started, and explain the reasons why barley affects the environment.
- Re-establishing resources Bedouins had for centuries
Overgrazing and early grazing become a problem. Bedouins cannot have sustainable animal production with an enormous amount of animals. The project has to address the problem of the destruction of the original environment and show why and how the original range balance has to be re-established.
- Animal care
This is a fundamental aspect in Bedouin economy and daily life. Several aspects are being considered for training activities such as animal husbandry and animal feeding.
- Nutritional Aspect
How to feed properly the flock. This aspect is also related to the reintroduction of indigenous plants and improved range (annual and perennial plants, introduction of salsola verniculum).
- Range rehabilitation
A number of conservation measures have been implemented in the project area in order to rehabilitate marginal land. Access to these areas is restricted and corridors have been traced to avoid the passage of sheep and vehicles. Furthermore, collaborative agreements with herders lead to several field activities (such as establishing and marking out corridors in the reserve areas, provide access to water sources coming out from the reserve etc.). Special signs indicating these activities on the territory have to be placed.
- Wildlife reserve
Awareness should be raised regarding the positive impact of the reserve on the range and about the importance of respecting wild animals.
- Solar energy
The project is trying to limit the negative effects of shrub collection and uprooting by promoting the use of alternative energy sources such as solar energy and solar stoves. Pilot experiences using improved stoves have been carried out with Bedouin women. There is the need to show the advantages of this technique and how to use it.
- Establishment of grazing committees
Information regarding the creation of grazing committees should be provided to Bedouins to facilitate participation. Furthermore, appropriate communication channels should be used for horizontal and bottom-up information sharing in order to establish a common framework for participatory decision making and collaborative activities.
- Messages for women
According to an extension needs assessment carried out by the project, the following topics for an extension programme for women were identified:
- firewood collection and soil degradation
- animal nutrition
- home health
- home handy craft
- improved milking
- literacy
- cookingThe project is prioritising women needs and technical messages in order to prepare a training module for women. At the moment priority should be given to firewood collection and animal care.
Local level
As mentioned earlier, according to PRA results, there are multiple interest groups in the area. The main difference is between settled and mobile herders. The first group is much more powerful. The mobile herders have been prioritised by the project, but it was also suggested to set up a double strategy to work with both. Communication activities can contribute to raise awareness of both target groups and create the climate for negotiation and cooperation. The category "local level" refers to general public including a variety of local target groups (settled herders, school children, people living in Palmyra etc.). At this level most of the messages presented above are related to awareness building and, in general, information and education should be addressed.
Institutional and policy level
At national level awareness should be promoted in order to gain policy support to the establishment of appropriate land tenure measures. The project is actually organising a national seminar on this topic. As recommended by the tripartite mission the National Advisory Committee should be reinforced. Specific communication activities should be undertaken to establish linkages between national policy and local decision making processes.
Documentation of project activities and results is a priority in order to call the attention of the Government, international institutions and the donors. Mechanisms and linkages for consultative management should be created.
