Albania dairy improvement campaign -- USAID CA # DHR-A-00-95-00040-00 : final report : 1995-2000

The project originated in 7/93 as part of the Agricultural Cooperative/Business Development and Training in Central and Eastern Europe Project. During Phase II, field agents taught the 3,800 women trained under Phase I new topics such as dairy breeding and reproduction, forage production, and association development, and extended technical training to over 1,200 new women in Kavaja and Durres districts. New project goals included fostering small rural businesses, such as processing plants and milk collection points, and supporting democratic institution-building through the creation of NGOs such as cooperatives, credit unions, and associations to advocate for women"s issues and support dairy producers in Albania. Under a subagreement, American Breeders Service (ABS) trained women in artificial insemination to enable them to operate private businesses; the target group was later expanded to include women who were already operating a business and interested in using U.S. genetics. A total of 77 inseminators were trained, of which 36 purchased U.S. genetics. ABS donated 20,000 doses of improved semen and monetized 15 artificial insemination kits to establish SHISH, a supply and distribution business for U.S. genetics. Under Phase III, the project began to focus on institutionalizing the cooperative undertakings already begun. Credit unions were formed, and TA was provided to the newly emerging private dairy processing plants to ensure a growing market for raw milk. The project"s geographic area also expanded. In response to continuous requests, LOL began delivering a fast-track training module for dairy producers, deliverable upon request. To date, over 3,000 milk producers, including men, have participated in this training. In addition, a group of star leaders was trained to train key leaders, who in turn trained their group. The project also: (1) added a fast-track technical dairy extension program for small ruminants, deliverable upon request; (2) conducted vaccination campaigns, which have led to a marked decrease in spontaneous abortions among sheep, and trained over 600 shepherds; (3) installed milk cooling tanks and simple milk testing laboratory equipment at 21 milk collection sites run either as cooperatives or private businesses; and (4) continued intensive work with private dairy processors, providing assistance on equipment upgrades, new products, hygiene, and marketing. As the quality of domestic production improves, domestic dairy products can displace imports, thus stimulating demand for raw milk and ensuring rural economic development. To date, LOL has aided in the foundation of four NGOs: the Law and Women"s Rights Association; SHISH, an association of artificial inseminators; the Dairy Entrepreneurs National Association (DENA); and the Livestock Entrepreneurs Association of Albania (LEAA), an offshoot of DENA. Details on the activities of these NGOs are included in the report. Over the duration of the program, LOL has formed a network of women that acts as a ready-made conduit for assistance from other Albanian and international development groups. Collaboration with these groups has helped to provide access to credit, potable water, and farm machinery, thereby expanding the opportunities offered to women. LOL"s program methodology has proven quite successful, and the network of over 8,000 dairy farmers already established is invaluable. The project currently collaborates with many other projects and donors who have found it beneficial to use LOL"s extension network to distribute information and opportunities offered by their organizations, thus leveraging project interventions. A list of collaborative efforts to date are included in the report.