The second round women farmer training on sheep raising technology was successfully held in Xi Gongyi Township, Dingxi County, Gansu province on October 20, 2009. This training was organized by the LHESP, the Gansu Provincial Management Office (PMO) and conducted by the PMO in Dingxi to train women farmers involved in small scale sheep production. A total of 33 women farmers from 14 villages of Xi Gongyi Township participated in the training.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Zhang Jianyu, Director Assistant of Gansu World Bank Office, Mr. Che Qijun, chairman of Xi Gongyi Township CPPCC, Mr. Cheng Yaolong vice director of Anding Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau and Mr. Zhang Hui, Gansu LHESP Assistant Manager. Each person made opening remarks.

This was a replicate training of the first training completed successfully in Hanshui village, Tuanjie Township on June 30, 2009. Also it was a MTOT practicum deliver training on sheep raising.

The present training focused mainly on the feedback suggestions forwarded by women farmers trainees during the first training. The MTOTs summarized the success stories of the previous women farmer training and improved the training materials by preparing silage making posters contributing considerably to the quality of the training.

In general, the main contents of this training were:
    1. The advantages of modern shelters for sheep
    2. Sire breed selection for higher profit
    3. Processing of silage and others feedstuff
    4. Main diseases of sheep which affect sheep productivity in Dingxi County
    5. Environmental issues in animal production and appropriate methods of disposal veterinary medical waste materials, animal manure and carcases

A brief explanation on the advantages of good shelters, sire breed selection, processing of silage and feed stuff were delivered by the MTOT trainer, Mrs. Li Aiping. While sheep production limiting diseases and environment issues related with animal production were presented by Mr. Ma Zhongxuan and Mr. Zhang Hui, respectively.

Mr. Ma brought vaccines and parasites samples to show the trainees and let them have practical understanding about vaccines and parasites. Moreover, he reminded them the importance of understanding methods of identification, prevention and control measures of common sheep diseases to improve sheep production to promote better income.

Mr. Zhang Hui, emphasized the importance of clean environment for healthy sheep production and called for better sanitation on sheep barns which is vital to prevent sheep disease, reduce economic losses, and improve veterinary and human public health. Mr. Zhang also conveyed the” One World, One Health, One Medicine” concept to the trainees.

The trainees participated actively making many questions, providing answer, and supporting discussions. This enhanced their interest and understanding of the general idea of the training. Each trainee was given a silage poster that introduced the process of preparing silages, and they were invited to ask questions based on the contents of the poster and encouraged to share their experiences with each other. Many of them were asked and answered questions about their positive and negative past experiences that they have faced during their sheep raising practice. The trainees were allowed to take home the posters in order to distribute information to other women farmers who did not have a chance to participate in this training. Most women did not understand how to make different feeds and the importance of concentrated feed. This training provided them with general ideas and methods to prepare silage.

Mrs. Li Aiping introduced the importance of having access of mineral salt block suspended at the center of the sheep barn. This not only facilitates the access to mineral salts by the sheep but, also minimized waste, prevents salt contamination and enhances prevention of diseases that might be developed from contamination. The trainees were very excited and expressed interest.

Finally, Mr. Cheng Yaolong summarized the training and encouraged women to share the knowledge they have learnt and the posters they were given with their neighbors to promote and share sheep production skills with local small scale sheep raising women farmers. Mr. Cheng highlighted that this would contribute to increase the women farmers personal incomes in particular within the local economy in general.

In General, the trainees demonstrated good participatory skills revealed by their careful listening, taking notes, asking questions and actively participating in the discussions. The training contributed not only to improve sheep raising skills to women farmers, but also gave the MTOT team a good opportunity to promote their awareness and working capacity as MTOT members. The training promoted gender and minority equality, and supported environmental protection.

At the end of the training, the trainees expressed their hope to have more opportunities to do this kind of training with more women farmers involved to promote their skills in sheep raising and help them increase their income.
 

Opening ceremony	Li Aiping explaining how silage is made	Ma Zhong Xuan explaining sheep diseases

Trainees observe vaccine levels	Zhang Hui explaining environmental issues	Cheng Yaolong summarizing the training
Silage making poster used during the training	Parasite specimen used during the training