Reducing Vulnerability and Building Capacity Via Improved Livestock

Reducing Vulnerability and Building Capacity Via Improved Livestock Management International Food Aid Conference, PVO Panel April 16, 2008 1

Introduction p p Decrease vulnerability and increase coping capacity through use of livestock Monitoring and responding to shocks 2

Land O’Lakes Zambia Title II Program: 2004 - Present p Objective: Reduce food insecurity among vulnerable groups n n n Provision of in-calf heifers for trained vulnerable households Training and TA for small holder diary Female calves “passed on” to other households Bulk milk marketing through milk collection centers Cooperative capacity building – min. 30% members must be women 3

Decreased vulnerability & increased coping capacity At Mid-term (after 2 years): p Average months of food security increased from 6. 4 to 8. 2 months: +1. 8 months p Incomes increased 24 percent p 72% of households consume milk on a regular basis: approximately 30 ml/person/day 4

Long time-frame needed p p Six months training before dairy animals received, and then need to wait for calves to be born for lactation to begin. Pass on program: offspring heifers passed on to other vulnerable households – required three years minimum. Development food aid must be protected to ensure resources are available over time to maximize impact & sustainability 5

Producer Group Capacity Building: Sustainability Takes Time p p First link to cash economy for some households Need to learn the basics: business skills, leadership/management PG/Coop members must build infrastructure: milk collection centers Forge links with commercial processors Need continuous support Development food aid must be protected to ensure resources are available over time to 6 maximize impact & sustainability

Sustainable incomes for poor people p Monthly milk payments reduce food gap and need for food aid n p Investment reduces causes of food insecurity Steady income source even during crop failures n n Livestock consume failed crops, farmers can sell these to livestock owners During rainy season, cows are lactating so more milk is produced and sold 7

Monitoring & Responding to Shocks p p Prior to Title II, Land O’Lakes was not integrated into emergency responses, so sustainable livestock -oriented responses were not implemented in Zambia. Land O’Lakes’ work with vulnerable target groups enabled our involvement: n n 2005 -06 Drought response 2007 -08 Flood response 8

Drought response 2005 -06 p p Joined Zambia Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZVAC) Distributed in-calf heifers before rainy season/hungry season Package of technical services similar to Title II interventions to ensure health/survival of animals Leveraged relationship with MACO & other service providers 9

Flood response 2007 -08 p Situation: n n People & animals concentrated – disease Distress sales p Response: n n Address animal diseases Restock small livestock & TA 10

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