Social Learning by Small Ruminant Farmers in Granma, Cuba

Abstract

With the objective to characterize sustainability of family-owned small ruminant production systems as well as conservation of Cuban Creole goats, we used a transdisciplinary approach that included participatory action-research with a social learning component in two rural communities (“La Concepción” and "26 de Julio”) in the Cauto Valley of Granma, Cuba. This study aims to characterize families’ livelihoods and agricultural systems using sustainability indicators. In addition, the region’s Creole goat population was characterized, and a process for conserving this type of goat was developed. Seventy families participated in community-wide workshops to analyze families’ livelihoods and plan Creole goat conservation, as well as livestock fairs, and sustainable livestock raising festivals. Furthermore, farm families identified their common vision regarding extinction of Creole goats. Social learning facilitated collective action to promote the production of knowledge regarding the value and uses of small ruminants, technical knowledge regarding goat raising, sustainability, and livelihoods. This learning promoted development of farmers’ abilities to participate in the Creole goat conservation process and improve their relationships with the different actors in this process. Farm families who worked off the farm also participated with livelihood strategies in collective action oriented toward improving livestock raising systems in such a manner that they be adapted to the community’s sociocultural context.