MART-AZR Project Research Report 35: Ex-Ante Economic Technology Evaluation for Research and Extension Program Design: Sheep Production Improvement in Baluchistan, Pakistan

Abstract

An Ex-ante economic evaluation of eight health (Vaccination and dipping), flock management, high energy feeding, and breeding intervention combinations for the improvement of sheep production in Baluchistan were analyzed using a sheep flock budgeting model. The objective was to provide information for research and extension program design prior to the undertaking of a full experimentation program. The budgeting model included both technical performance and economic parameters using synthesized data from limited. available experiments supplemented by informal and formal farmer and key informant survey information. Results indicated that health and flock management interventions were highly profitable, suggesting that vaccine and dipping solution availability and farmer knowledge were the key constraints to their further usage. Interventions involving feeding failed to prove to be economical, suggesting that research programs should turn to lower-cost feeding regimes.