Announcements
Compete's Third Round of Grants January 2008
Results
On 23rd January 2008, Compete received twenty Concept Papers for research in crop management and animal husbandry.  Thirteen concept papers were selected and their authors invited to prepare proposals.  On 20th March 10 proposals were submitted to Compete for review. 

Watch this space for announcement of the finalists.

Compete Newsletter

Press Releases

Proposals funded in 2008

Fernando Chitio, M.Sc., Centro Zonal Nordeste, IIAM, Nampula. Research Title:  Sesame On-farm trials, Seed Multiplication and Dissemination. 

 Alberto Manhica, Lic., Centro Zonal Sul – IIAM.  Researh Title:  Production of charcoal and pyroligneus extract using sustainable and appropriate tecnologies for rural areas.

Zacarias Massango, Lic. & Sandra Goncalves, Msc.,  Direcão de Ciencias Animais – IIAM. Researh Title: Evaluation of the contribution of chickens in household income in Magude through the production of eggs using moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves to reduce the cost of feed.

Luisa Santos, Ph.D., Faculdade de Agronomia, UEM. Research Title: Alternative technologies for the cultivation and integrated pest management to increase the production of cotton and household income of rural families.

Proposals funded in 2007

Domingos Cugala, PhD. Agriculture & Forestry Engineering Faculty, UEM. Research Title: Biological control of large maize grain borer Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Histeridae) in Mozambique.

Domingos J. B. Dias, M Agr., Centro Zonal Centro - IIAM, Sussendenga. Research Title: Evaluation and promotion of improved varieties of soya in communities of Manica and Sofala.des de Manica e Sofala.

Mohamed Harun, Ph.D. Veterinary Faculty, UEM. Research Title: Participative study of agricultural, socioeconomic and physiological aspects of the use of Angone cows (Bos indicus) and Landim cows (Bos taurus) in animal traction.

Sónia Maciel, DVM, M.Sc. DCA-IIAM. Research Title: Community-Based Development Interventions to Increase the Productivity of Goats in the Smallholder Sector of Angonia District”.

Rafael Massinga, Ph.D. ISPG-Chokwe. Research Title: Integrated management of (Striga hermonthica) and of the maize borer (Chilo partellus) in zones where they occur together in Mozambique.

Elisabeth Specht, Dipl. Agr-Biol, DVM. Regional Veterinary Lab, Zonal-Center-Center, Chimoio. Research Title: Study of the impact of Trypanosomosis and the economic benefits of its control.

The institutional memory of research in IIAM resides in the individual researchers. When a researcher moves on their experience of financial management, project management, and research expertise goes with that researcher. Compete is about capturing that experience and having it reside in the management memory of IIAM as an institution. IIAM needs to strengthen its reputation as a strong applied research institution. Such a reputation would be based on three legs: 1. Researchers who

• Write sharp, well-problematized, creative, scientifically-sound proposals focused on resolving urgent socioeconomic and market-determined problems; Understand and use the synergy of multidisciplinary approaches to research; Understand leverage and use it creatively for efficient implementation, and for covering costs; Run well-managed research teams – implementing grants efficiently, creatively and on time; Understand the need for clear benchmarks and indicators and monitor their projects rigorously; Develop strong farmer-researcher links through greater involvement of the Zonal centers in adaptive research and multi-institution partnerships; Work seamlessly with field station staff and workers; Network locally, regionally and overseas; Publish not only in scientific journals but also in the popular media on the IIAM website to reach IIAM’s different target audiences (researcher colleagues, extension personnel and farmers); Produce distinctive, clear dissemination materials; Known for mentoring and for seeking out younger researchers and graduate students to work on their projects;
• Use national and international mentors creatively;

2. Grant financial/project/procurement unit that is:

• Scrupulous in maintaining equal access to competition for grants; Administrates the grant solicitation and selection process, supporting a technical advisory committee in that process;Responsive to project deadlines, highly supportive of researcher needs;Rigorous accounting procedures and financial management systems, maintains adequate grant implementation protocols (procurement, handling of cash, contracting procedures, travel and per diem policies, personnel policies, overhead rates, expense reports, financial reports, property management) that eliminates arbitrariness;A strong implementer of a research programs with a reputation for effective grant monitoring and sound accounting procedures for different funding sources;Maintains organizational memory that will support future fundraising and grant applications;
• Solicits audits on a regular basis. 3. Annual Research Reports and Conference that captures the IIAM experience with research, fund raising and grants management.

3. Annual Research Reports and Conference that captures the IIAM experience with research, fund raising and grants management.

The following is an excerpt from the Compete Grants Manual Functions and Responsibilities of the Compete Technical Review and Evaluation Committee

The Technical Review and Evaluation Committee is a committee of senior scientists or specialists selected and approved by USAID, Compete and IIAM. Its functions are to

• Review the evaluations of concept papers made by Compete GM and COP and make the final selection of Concept Papers.
• Evaluate the second-tier grant proposals, request expert opinion where required and select the finalists.
• Review Field Monitoring reports and Annual reports from the researchers; and
• Provide feedback on the grant making process, the quality of proposals, and provide recommendations to improve the competitive grants management process.

The TREC is composed of the following people:

The TREC will meet twice each Grant making cycle:

1. A sub-committee of the TREC (at least four members) will meet to review the evaluation of the Concept Papers done by Compete GM and COP.
2. The full TREC Committee will meet to evaluate the Grant Proposals.

The review and evaluation process is designed to be transparent, objective and numeric-based. Once the GM receives all of the proposal evaluation forms for one application, s/he will average the scores. Proposals will be ranked by average score of their technical proposal. Based on the estimated available funding a corresponding amount of applications will be labeled “Proceed in Cycle.” Concept Paper Review The concept paper review serves as a filter for concepts that are fundamentally flawed or imperfect with little chance of making significant contributions to the overall project goals. This process is designed to prevent the Technical Review and Evaluation Committee (TREC) from spending time rating proposals that are not responsive.
The concept paper review is carried out by the GM, and the TM. The GM will review the concept papers to ensure that the applicants are eligible for funding under Compete and review the budget for cost effectiveness. The TM will assess the concepts for strategic fit with the overall Compete goal and objectives as well as assess the applicant’s past performance. Administrative and technical evaluation of concept papers will be conducted on separate evaluation sheets. The GM will complete a summary sheet of the two independent evaluations. The GM will submit the results of the concept paper review to TREC, who will authorize written notification of the outcome to the applicant. The Concept Paper evaluation process is summarized in Annex 3 of the Compete Grants Management Manual (GMM).

Two images from the TREC meeting during the evaluation of proposals from the 2nd round

The reviewers will indicate on the Evaluation Form (GMM Annex 2) whether to invite the researcher to prepare a full proposal. The reviewers will state the reasons for determining why a Concept Paper should not be part of the TREC’s review. All decisions will be made in writing and kept on file. The TREC will review Concept Papers for:

• Concept relevance to the strategic, research priorities of IIAM;
• Scope, approach and expected results;
• Feasibility of the approach;
• Organization’s proof of a minimum level of organizational capability, especially as it relates to finances;
• Strong, strategic partnerships between institutions especially at agro-ecological and farm level;
• Whether project budget is reasonable, allowable and allocable.
• Whether the applicant is barred from receiving grants from either the U.S. or the host country government.

A Concept paper will be rejected if the submission documents are:

• Incomplete;
• Submitted after the posted close date;
• Non-compliant with technical objectives/thematic areas of the project;
• Score less than an 75 on the concept review;
• From an organization that appears on the US government List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs (EPLS);

Subsequent to the evaluation of the concept papers, those papers that receive a positive evaluation will be invited to submit a full proposal as outlined below. Those organizations whose concept papers receive a negative review will be informed in writing within 30 days after the review.Grant Proposal Evaluation Criteria Compete recognizes the importance of a fair, objective and transparent review and evaluation process. To this end, Compete will take measures to ensure that each Evaluator fully understands his/her responsibilities in evaluating the full application, that each member has a consistent understanding of the evaluation criteria and that no conflicts of interest exist.
The length of the evaluation step will be specified in the public notice, but it should, in all cases, be kept to the necessary minimum. The GM will establish a timeline for the evaluation stage, which will be shared with the TREC.
At the onset of the final review, the TREC will be convened and the GM will provide them with a statistical overview regarding number of applications, incomplete submissions, late submissions, submissions by geographic area and gender, submissions by organizational type, partnerships submissions by thematic area, etc. The GM will then discuss the review and evaluation process including the Evaluation Checklist and application files will be distributed to respective members for their objective evaluation.
Once TREC members have discussed the Application Evaluation Checklist, the GM will assign applications to each member to objectively review and evaluate. Each application will be reviewed by at least three members. As applications are evaluated, the Application Evaluation Checklist will be completed and submitted to the GM to ensure that the results of each evaluator remain confidential until the evaluation phase is complete. All applications must be returned to the GM on or before the established deadline. (The GM will impose a timely deadline for the review process.)
The TREC will formally evaluate and rank all proposals independently and uniformly in writing, using the Proposal Evaluation Form (45). Rankings will be based on: 1. Strategic fit: (30 points maximum), including:

• Contribution to IIAM strategic research priorities
• Effectiveness and sustainability of results in addressing rural poverty;
• Anticipated impact on the beneficiaries;
• Multi-institutional participants in the research;
• Contribution toward ARD Inc. success indicators (per Contract EDH-I-00-05-00006-00)

2. Technical approach: (40 points maximum), including:

• Clearly defined problem statement;
• Goals clearly outlined
• Innovative technical approach;
• Work plan with clearly established benchmarks
• Potential obstacles identified and solutions;
• Plan for farmer ready dissemination of results;

3. Organizational capabilities: (20 points maximum), including:

• Past performance on similar projects;
• Relevance of staff skills to the proposed program;
• Experience in geographic region;
• Soundness of accounting and procurement practices;
• Capacity to adhere to USAID financial guidelines;

4. Gender considerations: (10 points maximum), including:

• Focus on women’s issues;
• Impact on women’s issues;

5. Cost effectiveness: not scored, including:
Cost criteria will not be scored. Costs will be evaluated in terms of their feasibility, cost realism, reasonableness, completeness, allocability, and cost-effectiveness for undertaking activities outlined in the planning matrix. As technical scores converge, proposals that maximize direct activity costs including cost sharing and leveraging and that minimize administrative costs will be more favorably considered. The cost selection criteria, expressed in the form of questions below, will allow Compete to evaluate the applicants cost application.

• Is the proposed budget reasonable and cost-effective?
• Is there a reasonable balance (__%) between human resources and the rest of the budget?
• Does the proposal minimize headquarters costs for managing the project in order to maximize the funds available for field-based project activities including a strong field management capacity for regional-based centers?
• To what extent do the funds help build the long term physical and human capacity of the Zonal Centers?
• Does the proposal have a high percentage of other leveraged funds or submitted funding proposals that could complement program activities?

First Grant Cycle Research Field Sites

The six final proposals have field trials programmed to be carried out in 24 districts.  These are indicated on the map below.First Grant Cycle Research Team & Research Project Executive Summaries topDomingos Cugala, PhD (Biological Control) - Faculdade de Agronomia e Engenharia Florestal-UEM, Investigador Principal. “Controlo biológico da broca maior do grão de milho Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) através da introduçäo do predador Teretrius nigrescens em Moçambique” Research Team:
Jose Sancho Cumbi, MSc, Entomologia, Direcçäo de Agricultura e Recursos Naturais, IIAM
Celestina Jochua, M.Sc., Cento Zonal-Sul (Estaçäo Agrária de Chokwe)
Serafina Mangana, MSc, Departamento de Sanidade Vegetal, DNSA, MINAG
Elsa Mambo, BSc, Departamento de Sanidade Vegetal, DNSA, MINAG Summary of Proposal
The larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is a species originating from Central America, accidentally introduced in Africa in the early 1980s. It was first reported in Tanzania in 1981 and subsequently spread to other countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. P. truncatus has rapidly become the most important and destructive pest of maize grain and dried cassava stored in the family sector. Recent surveys show that P. truncatus occurs nationwide. Infestation densities of about 3700 adult individuals of P. truncatus per trap and around 61.5% weight loss of maize grain were recorded in Vanduzi, one of the most infested localities in Manica Province. Levels of weight loss increased drastically after the invasion of P. truncatus in Mozambique, as compared to the 10 to 12% of losses observed prior to its introduction. Although the use of chemical insecticides is effective and recommended in order to control the P. truncatus population, this strategy has not been adopted by most small scale farmers. An appropriate, feasible, economically sustainable and environmentally safe alternative strategy is the biological control of P. truncatus through the introduction into Mozambique of its predator Teretrius nigrescens already successfully introduced and released in several countries in West Africa (Togo and Benin), in Eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) and in Southern Africa (Zambia and Malawi). About 90% of the P. truncatus population was reduced in Togo and Benin after treatment. And 34% of reduction in grain losses were also registered. This project will test this highly successful strategy by introducing the predator T. nigrescens for the control of P. truncatus population into Mozambique. The aim is to contribute to the reduction of losses of maize grain in the storage systems of the family sector. Once the predator is established, it will control the pest population and consequently reduce infestation levels and losses of maize grain in the storage, and the control will be permanent. The predator will spread itself to other areas affected by the pest. The introduction of T. nigrescens will be carried out under the conditions imposed by the National Quarantine regulations in Mozambique and the “FAO Code of conduct for the import and release of exotic biological control agents”. The introduction the biological control agent of P. truncatus will be carried out in selected pilot sites in Tete and Manica Provinces. In each province 3 sites will be selected for the releases. Domingos J. B. Dias, MAgr-Fisiologia e Nutrição vegetal , CZC-Sussundenga, Investigador Principal. “Avaliação e Promoção de Variedades Melhoradas de Soja nas Comunidades de Manica e Sofala”. Research Team:
Manuel Amane PhD. Fitotecnia, DARN, IIAM
M. Miguel, M.Sc. Candidato de PhD.Fisiologia Nutricional, CZ-Centro
Carvalho Ecole PhD. Fitopatologia (para treinamentos), DARN - IIAM
João Ferrão DVM, MSc. ISPM
José Chiocho: Agrónomo, SPER <br>
Manica Adelino Jorge: Agrónomo: Africare
Arnaldo Sigaúque: (Agrónomo) :Africare Summary of Proposal
The present project will be implemented in the Provinces of Manica (Manica and Sussundenga) and Sofala (Gorongosa), which have high rates of malnutrition and absolute poverty. In these areas, soybean is very little known although some of its derivatives (flour and oil) are used. Soybean has great potential for marketing and consumption. At present supply does not meet demand. Therefore this crop offers guarantees for an increase of the family income and at the same time it has the potential to improve nutrition by its being used as food. The objective of the project is to identify, evaluate and promote improved soy varieties for production, sale and agro-processing at village level (soy flour, milk and forage) through the identification and strengthening of groups of poor small-scale farmers for the integrated production of grain and seeds. The project will identify and organize small-scale farmers and/or use farmers associations and groups who will promote the new varieties by locally producing and marketing seeds and grain in a sustainable way for good quality and productive chicken feed, using improved techniques that will include the integrated management of pests, diseases and nutrients. Results expected are (1) varieties with desired characteristics are available in the communities; (2) groups of small-scale farmers in the rural communities have been identified, organized and trained in Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Nutrition; (3) Promotional material is developed and field days are being held; (4) Markets for the selling of seeds/grain are identified in a participatory way, and (5) Various visits to exchange experiences among the groups, and to neighbouring countries, have been undertaken and they have brought about visible behavioural change. Mohamed Harun, DVM, PhD., Fisiologia Animal, Fac de Veterinária - UEM-, Investigador Principal. “Investigação participativa dos aspectos agronómicos, sócio-económicos e fisiológicos do uso de vacas das racas Angone (Bos indicus) e Landim (Bos taurus) na traccão animal” Research Team:
Rafael José Airone Escrivão, MSc. Fac. de Veterinária-UEM
Filomena Rosa dos Anjos, MSc. Fac. de Veterinária - UEM
Gracinda André Mataveia, MSc, Fac. de Veterinária - UEM
Cesaltina da Conceição Menete Tchamo, Lic., Fac de Veterinária - UEM
Hortêncio Pedro Comissal, MSc, PhD. - Maneio e Conservação de Solos, Centro Zonal Sul - IIAM
André Emanuel Horta Vander Merwe, MSc, Centro Zonal Sul - IIAM
Filipe Bernardino Vilela, MSc, Centro Zonal Centro - IIAM
Olga Lurdes Jossias Fafetine, MSc, PhD.-Nutrição Animal, Direcção de Ciências Animal - IIAM
Ricardo Marcos de Jesus Maria, MSc, Direcção de Agronomia e Recursos Naturais - IIAM
Lateiro Salvador de Sousa, Lic., Instituto Superior Politécnico de Gaza - ISPG
Aurélio Salvador Macaringue, Lic., ISPG Summary of Proposal
This investigation intends to test the effect of using draught animals in mechanizing plowing and weeding with a view to promoting the conservation of soil fertility and crop yields. In this way the project will contribute to the promotion of self-sufficiency and food security with regard to basic products and it will stimulate the increase of agrarian productivity in accordance with the Government’s Five-Year Plan for 2005-2009, the Agrarian Policy and the implementation strategy from 1995. By using a participatory approach, the project will conduct baseline studies aimed at evaluating the socio-economic, agronomic and physiological aspects of the use of cows in animal traction (AT). The main objectives of the study are: studies on the impact of crop cultivation (plowing and weeding) using AT in managing and conserving soil fertility with the subsequent increase of crop yields; the effect of feed supplements on the reduction of calving intervals of AT cows will be studied simultaneously. The investigation will take place in four agro-ecological zones and will consist of on-station and on-farm trials. It intends to evaluate the impact of the technology packages to families headed by women or with members suffering from HIV-AIDS. Sónia Maciel, DVM, M.Sc. DCA, IIAM, Investigador Principal. Community-Based Development Interventions to Increase the Productivity of Goats in the Smallholder Sector of Angonia District Research Team:
Elisabeth Specht, Dip em Biologia Agrária, Parasitologia, Grau em Médicina Veterinária, CZC, Lab Regional de Vet., Chimoio;
Olga Lurdes Jossias Fafetine, MSc, PhD.-Nutrição Animal, DCA - IIAM
Feliciano Mazuze, Msc Agro-Economia, IIAM, CESE - IIAM
Luisa Meque, DVM, DCA-IIAM. Summary of Proposal
Presently, goats are the only livestock species with a competitive national market which is listed as one of the species to be developed and promoted within food security goals. Reasons for this is that goats do not compete with human food resources, do not have feed restrictions and require only a little management attention to address the prejudice that they are claimed to have on the environment (Lough et al., 2001). Goat population in Angónia district may be as high as twenty thousand animals based on dip tanks surveys in 2003 and 2005. A project, which ran from 2005-2007 at Angónia Research Station, has determined the benefits of improved housing, health, nutrition and structured breeding practices in goat husbandry. Other studies have demonstrated that the application of prophylactic measures, such as de-worming, and the provision of key minerals such as salt and phosphorus, can result in an economically significant increase in body weight per goat as well as increase reproduction (Atanásio et al., 2001). This study will introduce to selected farmers elevated housing, strategic prophylactic health measures and treatments, establish nurseries for fodder trees and encourage utilization of crop residues to selected farmers. In addition bucks from local breeds and a new type of goat (dual purpose) will be introduced at village level to be tested by farmers who were already exposed to the above technologies at the local research station during the recent study. Five farmers from each village will be randomly selected from a list of goat keepers already surveyed. They will be responsible for the construction of goat housing. The project will also establish basic prophylactic measures and treatments, nurseries for multi-purpose trees and use of crops residues as well as selection of bucks. The introduction of a ½ French Alpine x Landrace goat will be done in two of the four surveyed villages. They will be trained on group dynamics, leadership and partnership to strengthen the community’s ability to manage and sustain their own development initiatives. Instruction sheets will be given to farmers on the above technologies to be adopted. Farmers will be monitored by the technical team on the running activities. Improvement on overall goat productivity will be measured by reduced goat mortality and diseases outbreak, improved fertility as well as improved quality and condition of animals. Differences on the adoption and use of technologies by women and men will be addressed by discriminating data by gender. This initiative will determine the extent to which the technology package can increase household meat production (and income) once it is transferred to the farmer. It will determine farmer constraints and look at solutions for them. Rafael Massinga, Ph.D. ISPG-Chokwe, Investigador Principal. “Maneio Integrado da Striga (Striga hermonthica) e Broca do Milho (Chilo partellus) em zonas de ocorrência simultânea em Mocambique” Research Team:
Carvalho Ecole, DSc-Entomologia DARN, IIAM;
Pedro Fato, PhD Cand- Melhorador de milho DARN, IIAM,
Momade Ibraimo, DSc- Fertilidade do solo, ZC-Nordeste, Nampula;
Fernando Chitio, M.Sc., ZC-Nordeste, Nampula;
Florencio Jonas ;
Manuel Temo ;
Leonid Moises Lic, ISPG-Chokwe Summary of Proposal
The present project intends to promote the integrated management of Striga and maize borers, evaluating various management methods. Considering the importance of maize in Mozambique, the elaboration of recommendations based on management strategies that lead to a reduction of losses caused by borers and Striga, may increase the production of maize by small-scale farmers, thereby contributing to the alleviation of poverty and to food security of the producers. On the other hand, the reduction of Striga infestation reduces the time spent on weeding, which is an advantage in particular for women, who are the main actors in this field, and for those weakened by HIV. With activities in the Zonal Centres Northwest, Northeast and Centre, the major maize producing regions in Mozambique, the project will develop best agricultural practices stimulating the use of low-cost practices, the identification of tolerant varieties, biological control and environmental management in controlling these agents. If accepted, the project will have an investigator from the ICIPE, the institute that is an authority in the area of investigating Striga/maize borer, as a mentor. The project is justifiable on the one hand because, although the disastrous effects of Striga and borer on maize crops are known, information concerning the areas of occurrence in Mozambique is very scarce and not systematized, while on the other hand the methods used by small-scale farmers in controlling both Striga and the borer are very laborious, slow and ineffective or burdensome and they are damaging to the environment.. A systematized identification and the mapping of the areas of occurrence of Striga and the borer are appropriate for the elaboration of control strategies, and for formulating recommendations for practices that effectively manage these “pests” and that are appropriate for the agro-ecological areas where they occur. The general objective of the project is to elaborate recommendations for an increase in the production and productivity of maize through the use of integrated management techniques in reducing the population of the borer and Striga. Its specific objectives are the following:

1. Identify and map the areas of simultaneous occurrence of Striga and maize borer, and quantify the damage they cause 2. Evaluate different methods to control these two “pests” and their impact on the reduction of their populations in maize fields 3. Elaborate recommendations for the integrated control of Striga and maize borer

4. Recommend for each region of simultaneous occurrence of Striga and maize borer the most tolerant maize varieties.

These results will have a great potential of being sustainable and transferable, on the one hand because the project is an applied investigation testing simple methods that are low-cost and easy to execute, and on the other hand because by betting on “mother & baby” trials with the involved “best bet” approach, the project allows the producer to choose the technology that from his point of view seems most adequate and viable. The project will be analysed by:
a) Identification and quantification of the variety and methods chosen as best bet by the producers for being used in their fields.
b) The spill over effect that the results may have measured by the number of producers who do not participate in the project and who are using the tested methods after observing the results.
c) The number of producers made aware of and who adopt the management methods suggested by the investigators or the extension agents. The project includes a principal investigator in the area of infestants, an associate investigator who is an entomologist and various investigators from the zonal centres where the project will be carried out. Elisabeth Specht, Dip em Biologia Agrária, Parasitologia, Grau em Médicina Veterinária, CZC, Lab Regional de Vet,Chimoio Investigador principal. Estudo do impacto de tripanossomose e dos benefícios económicos do seu controle. Research Team:
Feliciano Mazuze, Msc da Universidade de Michigan, agro-economista, IIAM, Cese - IIAM
Maria da Luz Quinhentos, Lic em Agronomia da UEM, socio-economia, CZC, DFDTT-IIAM
Ana Lídia Gungulo, Lic socio-economia, CZC, DFDTT - IIAM
Helena Matusse, Lic em Médicina Veterinária, MSc, Biotecnologia, DCA – IIAM
Feliz Paulo, Lic em Médicina Veterinária, DPA de Manica
Elisa Simone, Lic em Médicina Veterinária, DPA de Manica Summary of Proposal
The present study will investigate the impact of trypanosomes through a monitoring of the health status of cattle and calculate the financial costs and benefits of its control. Infections with trypanosomes represent one of the major constraints for cattle production in Mozambique because approximately two thirds of the country is infested by its vector, Glossina spp. Infection results in anemia, stunted growth or weight loss, reproductive disorders, poor milk production and death if not treated. Small holders – without the knowledge and often the financial means for treatment measurements – are most severely stricken by disease or death of the few cattle they possess. It deprives them of meat, sometimes milk and draft power. The proposed project will study the effect of trypanosomosis on cattle health and use the collected data on the difference in weight gains between treated and untreated cattle for a cost-benefit analysis. Studies done until now in cattle were mainly about the distribution of trypanosomes and tsetse flies, but not about the impact of trypanosomes on animal health. In the proposed study microorganisms transmitted by ticks and gastrointestinal parasites will be eliminated through treatments.This way it will be possible to attribute to trypanosomes most of the health problems of the cattle in the trial like reduction of red blood cells as result of anaemia, weight losses, reproductive disorders in heifers and mortality. The dip tank of Cupenha in Sussundenga district of Manica Province was chosen as site for the trial. The frequency of trypanosomes at this site was about 45% during the last two years. For the trial 300 cattle will be divided into the following four equal groups: (i) positive animals and treated subsequently in regular intervals with trypanocides, (ii) negative animals treated regularly with trypanocides, (iii) positive untreated animals and, (iv) animals kept negative for trypanosomes, but positive for Babesia and Anaplasma and gastrointestinal parasites. All groups will include growing animals like calves, young bulls and heifers. At two months intervals, blood samples will be taken from each animal to look for trypanosomes, determine the Packed Cell Volume (indicator of anaemia) and to make thin blood smears. Faeces samples will be taken of 10 animals of each group to look for gastrointestinal parasites. The differences in weight gain of the treated and untreated groups will be used for the calculation of the benefits.

A proposal for a government trypanosomosis control programme in Manica Province will be given.

Address: IIAM; Av das FPLM 2698; Maputo; Mozambique; Ph/Fax: 258-21460255; Email: compete@tdm.co.mz