Securing Livelihoods through the Strengthening of Livestock Sector Value Chains

This is a BMZ funded project being implemented for the duration between 1st July 2019 and 30th April 2021. The project is implemented in Maroodijeex Region that has four districts: Hargeisa, Salahley, Gabiley and Balligubadle. The objective of the project is to improve the livelihood of dairy and meat-producing agro-pastoralists and of members of the milk and meat value chain through increased income and, hence, all year improved access to animal products at local markets for approximately 180,780 consumers in order to ensure access to high-quality animal sourced protein. The most outstanding achievements of the project in 2020 were the construction and rehabilitation of 16 market infrastructures that are comprised of seven milk markets, four meat markets and five slaughterhouses in Salahley, Gabiley, Kalabaydh, Wajaale, Dacarbudhuq, Cadaadley and Dheenta villages.

Furthermore, 270 milk and meat vendors were trained on milk/meat hygiene, milk and meat value addition, business management, and group governance. The 270 milk and meat vendors received equipment including aluminum milk cans, aluminum craters, milk separators, solar freezers, milk testing equipment and aluminum wheelbarrows. In addition, 28 CAHWs and 15 veterinary pharmacists were trained and supplied with veterinary drugs and equipment to improve the veterinary service delivery in the target area. A further 200 government employees were trained on policy formulation and  implementation, program and data management to improve government capacity to regulate the milk and meat sector. Aiming to raise awareness on milk and meat hygiene, 140,000 consumers in the region were reached through Radio and TV programs. Moreover, information package materials (brochures and posters) were printed and distributed to increase the consumers’ understanding of hygiene and related issues on milk and meat.

A Community Animal Health Worker for Qoolcadey, Somalia

Ms. Umalkheyr Ismail Abdullahi is a 28-year-old CAHW from Qoolcadey, Salahley District. She is unmarried and lives with her family of 13 people. She was selected to become a CAHW by Qoolcadey community and trained by VSF Germany. Umalkheyr states that she benefited a lot from VSF Germany’s project in Somaliland. By  comparing her family’s life before being trained and equipped as a CAHW and afterwards, she explains: