Annual Progress Report FY 2015 –2016

The project aimed to improve livestock productivity and access to nutritious food for rural households. The project's operational and technical startup activities were completed during the reporting period, including the facilitation of private sector entrepreneurs (PSEs) to offer training to farmers on improved management practices for livestock rearing. During the reporting period, a total of 2,658 individuals, including 996 women, received training on different aspects of livestock management and nutrition, with a focus on milk and meat consumption. The training covered topics such as animal health care management, fodder production and preservation, improved animal nutrition management, cattle husbandry and management, small-scale business planning and financial management, as well as hygienic milk production, transportation, and preservation. The trained individuals included PSEs, village health workers, and farmers. The project also provided institutional capacity building to Government of Bangladesh (GoB) agencies, namely the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) and the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI). DLS staff participated in training courses where they planned to improve the department's capacity in livestock management and extension services. The project also strengthened the capacity of BLRI in fodder and forage field research, which is essential for improving livestock productivity. The project's intermediate results (IRs) were also achieved during the reporting period. IR 1, which aimed to increase livestock productivity, was achieved through the development of fodder crop field demos and the capacity enhancement of PSEs and village health workers. IR 2, which aimed to improve access to hygienic, diverse, and quality food, was achieved through the organization of workshops and training sessions on meat and dairy products. IR 3, which aimed to improve nutrition-related behaviors of rural households, was achieved through the training of village health workers on nutrition and hygiene. The project also observed World Milk Day in 2016, which aimed to raise awareness about the importance of milk and dairy products in improving nutrition. The project also facilitated the establishment of fodder demo plots on individual and government plots, which helped to improve fodder production and preservation. The project also conducted a cattle feed value chain analysis, which aimed to identify opportunities for improving the efficiency of the cattle feed value chain. The project's activities were well-received by the beneficiaries, with 2,374 individuals applying new technologies and management practices by adopting artificial insemination, administering deworming tablets, and building cowsheds and mangers for their cattle. The project's achievements were also recognized by the Government of Bangladesh, which acknowledged the project's contributions to improving livestock productivity and access to nutritious food for rural households.