Program of assistance for livestock marketing in Somalia

To redress the short supply of animal medication, five projects are recommended: establishment of a Livestock Medication Fund and of a Livestock Sector Coordinating Group; agreement by the government to allow private imports and the sale of selected livestock medications; technical assistance; and special studies. To combat inefficiency in shipping and inadequacy of health controls at the ports, it is proposed that the following be built at the Port of Berbera; a multi-purpose water system; a separate livestock pier and loading and holding facilities; and facilities for inspecting, vaccinating, and certificating export stock. Also recommended are improved procedures for the latter and a study of policy and administrative measures to reduce shipping-related marketing costs. A program to assist local entrepreneurs includes three projects - studies on reducing marketing costs by introducing more efficient transport equipment for live animals and fodder and by having trucks haul mechanically-baled grass, and provision to small businesses, especially in the dairy industry, of access to credit, technical assistance, and the U.S./Somalia Commodities Import Program. The fourth program includes two small, longer-term projects - one to continue A.I.D. support to the breeding improvement and artificial insemination programs at Afgoi, the other to infuse ideas on market economics into Somalia"s universities. Five technical appendices and a 5-page bibliography (1937-83) are included.