Annual Report: Malawi Livestock for Resilience, July 2014 – June 2015

The project's goal was to expand the livestock asset base, increase the capacity of vulnerable households to maintain the asset base, improve access to animal health and livestock extension services, and enhance the capacity of vulnerable households to plan, save, and mitigate risk. During the first year of implementation, the project achieved several milestones. A baseline survey was conducted, and 4,907 smallholder farmers were identified and trained in animal husbandry and management. The project established and strengthened 300 livestock producer groups, facilitated the development of constitution and by-laws, and established governance structures. Improved animal housing facilities were constructed and supervised at household-level, with 1,348 households benefiting from the initiative. The project also improved management of livestock assets through training delivery to 4,907 households. Training focused on improved animal husbandry practices such as housing, feeds, and feeding, and animal health care. Additionally, 150 livestock lead farmers were trained on animal health services, with 80% of them offering services to smallholder producers during the period. A total of 49,394 animals benefited from veterinary interventions, including deworming, vaccination, dipping, and treatment. The project also established and strengthened 300 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), trained 150 lead farmers as Village Agents for VSLA and household enterprise development, and mobilized 4,837 VSLA members to accumulate cumulative savings of $102,296. Key challenges experienced during the period included delays in employment agreements, unanticipated delays in procurement and placement of motorcycles and motor vehicles, unreliable supply of vaccines and veterinary drugs, and a poor agricultural season characterized by flash floods and prolonged dry spells. The project's annual performance results showed that the livestock asset base was expanded, with 1,348 households identified as eligible to benefit from goats and chickens procured through a voucher scheme. The project conducted a livestock market survey, which identified an inadequate availability of livestock in the target communities. However, farmers had substantially contributed to the acquisition of additional livestock through investments in construction of animal housing facilities. The project's training program for smallholder farmers focused on improved animal husbandry and management practices, including improved animal housing, feeds, and feeding techniques, animal health, animal breeding and breed selection, and chick management. The project established 300 producer groups, with 56% of group members being female. The project also trained 150 livestock lead farmers on animal health services, with 80% of them offering services to smallholder producers during the period. The project's results showed that the capacity of vulnerable households to maintain the asset base was increased, with 4,907 target farmers trained in animal husbandry and management. The project also improved access to animal health and livestock extension services, with 49,394 animals benefiting from veterinary interventions. Additionally, the project enhanced the capacity of vulnerable households to plan, save, and mitigate risk, with 4,837 VSLA members mobilized to accumulate cumulative savings of $102,296. The project's plan for the next year included the placement of livestock to selected beneficiaries, the establishment of a livestock market survey, and the continuation of training and capacity-building activities for smallholder farmers and livestock lead farmers. The project also planned to strengthen the producer groups and VSLAs, and to continue to improve access to animal health and livestock extension services.