Use of participatory tools in the community support. Case: Caprines network of Trujillo state

Abstract

There are numerous factors that influence the functioning of the Caprines  Socialist  Productive Innovation  Network (RSIPC, acronym in Spanish), highlighting weak integration of state institutions and lack of commitment among the producer's members, to promote a common basis of performance. In this sense, the objective of this work was to evaluate the use of different participatory tools in the communitarian support to improve network management. The study was conducted in Mocoy community, Trujillo towship, Trujillo state; framed under the qualitative paradigm and the participatory action research approach. The tools used were: a) participatory rural survey; b) participant observation;  c) and semistructured interviews;  d) survey of sustainability indicators. These allowed a participatory characterization of the area; identify and reflect on the critical issues affecting the management of RSIPC and take appropriate action in this case. The study found the need to increase milk production through the use of new technologies, incorporate goat’s milk to feed children and strengthen knowledge for sub-products of goat activity. This last action showed slow but significant progress according to the last workshop held with producers, while the other two depend on factors such as breeding,  availability of protein bank (fodder of high nutritional value), requiring more time to observe changes. Equally relevant was the teamwork of the institutions for the continuous support to members of the network, allowing important progress and presenting a moderately desired situation