Development of a private animal health delivery network in North Sumatra, Indonesia

The antihelmintic is channeled from distributor to farmers through SR-CRSP extension workers, sub-District Livestock Service extension workers, small ruminant traders, and poultry shops. Farmers are able to recognize the benefits of periodic anti-parasite treatment and willing to pay for the antihelmintic. However, despite repeated demonstrations, farmers are reluctant to apply the drug themselves. Training for farmers is essential to improving their skill pertaining to the technology. Farmers buy antihelmintic from SR-CRSP extension workers (73.9%) and traders (26.1%). Farmers do not yet buy the antihelmintic from poultry shops because they cannot afford the antihelmintic as it is only sold in one-liter jars. Therefore, selling drugs via poultry shops would require (1) an intensive information campaign, (2) the sale of drugs in smaller packages, and (3) convincing farmers to apply the drugs themselves. Traders, despite selling at a slightly higher price, were a remarkably effective way to sell drugs to farmers. Personnel of provincial and district livestock services responded very well to the AHDN program. However, personnel of sub-district level of the livestock service did not respond satisfactorily. The staff complained about the illegal status of their competitors dispensing the antihelmintic. (Author abstract)