Two technologies were developed in trials in India in a participatory manner with goat owners. One was the collection and storage of pods of Prosopis juliflora for use during times of acute feed shortage. The second was the use of trichomes of the pods of the creeping legume Mucuna pruriens as an anthelmintic. In addition grass harvested from protected common lands can also make a contribution to alleviating feed shortages at critical times of the year.

	Feed supplementation for improving the productivity in goats: Use of Prosopis juliflora pods
	Deworming for improving the productivity in goats: Use of Mucuna pruriens pods as an anthelmintic.

Application of the first technique (Prosopis pods) led to considerably higher kidding rates (31-45 per cent higher than unsupplemented animals) in goats owned by resource poor farmers.

The second (Mucuna as an anthelmintic) increased growth rates in kids born after their dams had been treated whilst pregnant and may also have contributed to reduced mortality (from 45 per cent down to 12 per cent) and a lower abortion rate (from 28 per cent to 9 per cent).

Prosopis juliflora pods are a good source of protein and energy, possessing 12-14% crude protein on a dry basis (Wood et al., 2001a). This tree species is widely distributed in arid and semi-arid India. The pods were collected when they appeared on the trees in April and early May and stored (usually in gunny bags) for use later. This was a completely new practice in the all of the villages where the trials were conducted. Goat-keepers were advised to dry the pods thoroughly before storing them, otherwise there is a risk of infestation by pod-borer.

In on-farm trials in 1998 and 1999 (Trials 2 and 5 respectively) breeding does were fed a mixture (250 grams/day) of Prosopis juliflora pods and barley for 10 weeks, in equal proportions. The average weight of the does, most of which were of the Sirohi breed, was 25 Kg. The project suggested that half of the treatment be fed to the does in the morning and half in the evening, but most goat-keepers preferred to give it in the morning. The daily quantity to be fed was based on discussions between BAIF staff and the goat-keepers. It was thought that it would amount to 30-35% of a doe's daily dry-matter intake, and would result in minimal substitution effects.

Positive deworming results came from the use of a locally available material known to have anthelminthic properties - the trichomes (hairs) from the pods of a leguminous creeper, Mucuna pruriens . The dose, which was mixed with a lukewarm sugary solution (jaggery), was 20 mg per kg body weight. The idea for this treatment came from the fact that members of a local caste specializing in buffalo-keeping were known to use it.

These findings compliment other research that provides evidence of significant benefits from feeding protein supplements, and non-protein nitrogen supplements (Urea-Molasses Blocks). For example, research by Steel (2003) found that the response to protein supplementation of lambs infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis depended on the metabolisable protein content of the diet and on the period of exposure to incoming larvae. Where the diet only meets requirements for maintenance or low growth rates, increased supply of rumen undegradable protein (or bypass protein supplements) enhances the immune response, reduces faecal egg counts, and expells adult worms. However, it does not appear to limit the initial establishment of incoming larvae. Furthermore, Knox (2003) demonstrated that in young sheep, supplementation with urea can achieve similar qualitative benefits in reducing the effects and level of infection with parasitic nematodes to that achieved with protein supplements. Urea–Molasses Blocks (UMB) are a popular low-cost means of delivering non-protein nitrogen. Experimental evidence shows that the use of UMB can have a beneficial impact by enhancing the resilience and resistance of sheep to infection with nematode parasites.

Management strategies that are aimed at maximising the acquisition of effective immune expression by smallstock, as outlined above, will have a major benefit in reducing requirements for chemical treatment of intestinal parasites, and increasing produciton levels.