Brief description of the projectThe project pertains to the distribution of dairy goats to female-headed households whose livestock resources were decimated by the drought, with a view of enhancing their future food security. The main project activities pertain to the identification of needy beneficiaries, the purchase and distribution of goats, and the monitoring of project activities. While Action For Development (AFD) will meet the overall support costs of the project (approximately 10 percent of total costs), donations will be sought from private sources to cover the purchase of the dairy goats. The initial phase of the project will aim to assist 60 families providing two dairy goats per household. Subject to the success of this initial phase and availability of funds, the project will be expanded to meet the needs of additional drought-affected families in Borena. Project implementation will be the responsibility of AFD working in conjunction with the target communities, local authorities and funding partners. 1. The project holder –
2. Project background and rational -
The project area has an arid climate characterized by the recurrence of drought. The current drought that struck the area depleted water and pasture resources entailing the decimation of livestock, the mainstay of the local agro-pastoral economy. Last year’s crop harvest was completely lost because of drought, which compounded the problem of nutritional deficiency and related human and livestock health hazards. The people, therefore, are currently getting relief assistance, albeit inadequate. The project area used to be known for its high quality rangelands. Condition of pasture has, however, deteriorated due to bush encroachment and tick infestation. Livestock nutrition stress is very high during the dry season, entailing extra labor for women who are normally responsible for managing calves and cows. Small ruminants particularly goats, are considered advantageous in this regard, as they are better adapted to the local ecology. The farming system of the area is mixed, the people being engaged partly in pastoralism and partly agro-pastoralism and farming. Levels of livestock and agricultural productivity, however, leave much to be desired due to a range of natural and social factors such as drought, pests and diseases, degredation of the environment, the inadequacy of infrastructure and services, overall marginalization, etc… Social services such as water supply, health and education are not adequately developed. Although AFD and other development actors are making efforts to alleviate these problems, a lot more needs to be done. The social division of labor that prevails in the project area subjects women to unbearable productive and reproductive responsibilities. Women are heavy laden, and subsist in conditions of squalor and vulnerability. Lack of entitlement, and stifling cultural practices subject them to a subordinate status both at home and in society. The problems of female heads of households are compounded. Hence, there is a need to raise their social and economic status, and to enhance their access and control over productive resources. One such means would be the distribution of multi-purpose small ruminants to resource poor and drought affected female heads of households for use as source of milk, breeding, and ultimate income generation. 3. Problems to be addressed -
4. Project objectives -
- Complement the food security of targeted female headed households; - Restock the livestock resource base of the targeted female-headed households by distributing dairy goats. 5. Project activities -
1. Identification of beneficiary female headed households through community screening; 2. Purchase and distribution of goats (two goats for each household); 3. Follow-up and backstopping of the beneficiary households. 6. Project beneficiaries –
7. Project implementation -
The identification of beneficiaries will be carried out by community organizations on the basis of levels of destitution, loss of livestock due to drought, limited alternative source of livelihood, etc… The goats to be purchased will be identified by the beneficiaries themselves and will be screened by veterinarians prior to their purchase, which will be carried out by a committee comprising of relevant stakeholders. As the beneficiaries are drought affected, the distribution will be free. Following completion of this initial phase and subject to the availability of funds, additional families will be identified for support. A revised budget will be prepared to reflect any continuation/expansion of the project. 8. Implementation schedule –The project will be implemented as per the following schedule:
9. Project monitoring -
10. Risks and assumptions -
11. Sustainability -
12. Project inputs –
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