Presentation from the Informal Consultation on Livestock Issues between the FAO Animal Production and Health Division and interested Non-Governmental Organizations. 1–2 December 2009 Italy, Rome FAO Headquarters. [ Originally posted on http://www.cop-ppld.net/cop_knowledge_base ]

1. Mercy Corps
Agriculture Development
Overview
• Snapshot of Mercy Corps’s Agricultural Development Programming
• Our “Preferred” Methods and Approach
• Some Examples and Results

2. Mercy Corps
and
Agriculture Programming
• Traditional area of intervention for Mercy Corps since inception in
1979
• In recent years (5-7 years), in response to global contextual
situations and Mercy Corps’ global growth, agriculture
programming has expanded quickly.
• Globally, approx. 80 projects implementing $150+ million in 30
countries
• Reach: Approx. 1 million smallholder farmers

3. METHODS:
Who we work with and how we work towards
sustainability?
We work with:
farmers, agribusiness, communities, and local governments
to decrease hunger, increase incomes, and improve environmental sustainability

4. METHODS:
Mercy Corps Livestock Interventions
I. Emergency Programming:
•Feed Provision (conventional feed)
•De-Worming (Broad spectrum drugs)
•Vaccination exercise
II. Longer Term Programming
•Promotion of Animal Health services
–Training of CAHWs (Technical training and Business skills)
–Provision of Vet-Kits (starter Kits)
Developing Best Livestock Management practices Guide
–Drought cycle management
–Herd Management
–Destocking/Restocking
–Breed selection

5. METHODS:
3 primary components to effective Ag Development
Livestock Related Infrastructure
• Veterinary clinic
• Cattle Market
• Veterinary Pharmacies
• Cattle Crushes/Dips

6. METHODS:
Livestock Intervention cont…
Feed Production
•Fodder Production from Indigenous plant (Ethiopia)
•Feeding trials on Drought resistant fodder (Halophyte
based, Mangroves)
Institutional Support to Government
•Capacity building on planning
•Provision of Equipment (Means of transport)
•Policy Advocacy

7. METHODS:
Financial Services / Access to Capital
• Design and pilot new savings and loan
products
• Design loan guarantee, access to on-
lending capital, loan capital needs of Fin.
Institutions.
•Foster linkages between farmers and Fin.
institutions.
•Financial literacy.

8. Coordination
• National Government (Vaccination exercise, Training of
CAHW)
• INGOs and FAO, specially on CAHW training
• Beneficiaries through provision of grants (community
implement livestock related project through MC grant)

9. subsidize medicine @25% Subsidize medicine @25% + VFU rent+ salary
subsidize medicine @25% +VFU rent Monitoring + VFU cooperative formation
Time Frame
Name of VFU Year 2007 2008
Month Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Mar Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Dand
Bust
Tarin Koot
Choora center
Boldak
Cattle market
Panjwai
Maiwand
Nawa
Garam ser
Grishk
Khojalai
Baba Sahib
Nagahan
Chilghor
Pak border
Shoor Andam
Nade Ali
Tarin Koot Mohibullah
Zearat
Gezab
Naik Abad

10. What have we achieved?
September07
VFUs' Net income(category III) October 07
November 07
35000
December,07
30000 January,08
25000 February, 08
20000 March,08
Net Income
15000 April, 08
May, 08
10000
June, 08
5000
July, 08
0 Aug.08
-5000 Sep.08
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-10000 Oct.08
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Dec.08
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11. Challenges
• Lack of long term funding commitment
• Free handouts undermine sustainability
• Poor coordination at a field level

12. The End
Thanks