ANNUAL PROGRESS
REPORT - YEAR FIVE October 31, 2016
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication do not
necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International
Development or the United States Government.
Dairy Project
Agreement No:
391-A-00-11-01206-00
ii
‘
It gives me immense pleasure in presenting you the
Annual Progress Report of Year-5 of the project.
The Dairy Project has successfully completed its five-
year targets and has helped over 50,000 rural
households by generating increased income,
employment opportunities and most importantly
contributing greater investment to the dairy sector.
We have upgraded 118 local model farms and
successfully emerged as a sustainable model which
will benefit generations of dairy farmers equipped
with modern skills, access to quality extension
services and affordable farm inputs. I hope the
achievements will go a long way, and the Project will
be taken up as a benchmark for future public-private
partnerships and dairy interventions.
Sincerely,
Jack Moser
Chief of Party
USAID DRDFDairy Project
“You never change things by fighting the
existing reality. To change something, build a
new model that makes the existing model
obsolete.”
R. Buckminster Fuller
Photo: Dairy Project
iv
Table of Contents .............................................................................................. iv
List of Tables and Figures ................................................................................... v
Acronyms .......................................................................................................... vi
Executive Summary............................................................................................ 1
Background and Scope ....................................................................................... 4
Progress Highlights at a Glance .......................................................................... 5
SECTION 1: Funds Expended During Reporting Year .......................................... 8
SECTION 2: Progress and Performance ............................................................ 10
Farm Upgradation and Biogas Plants ................................................................................... 10
Training and Support for Dairy Farmers............................................................................... 14
Training and Support for Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs) ................................... 18
Training and Support for Women Livestock Extension Workers (WLEWs) ......................... 22
Mass Communication and Awareness Campaign ................................................................ 26
SECTION 3: Way Forward and Sustainability .................................................... 30
SECTION 4: Human Resource and Capacity Building ........................................ 32
SECTION 5: Issues, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward....................................... 33
SECTION 6: Environmental Compliance ........................................................... 35
ANNEX 1: Overview of the Training Components ............................................. 39
ANNEX 2: Performance Evaluation Sampling Methodology ............................. 45
ANNEX 3: Key Events........................................................................................ 48
ANNEX 4: Communication Products Developed ............................................... 51
ANNEX 5: Summary of Trainings Conducted .................................................... 51
ANNEX 6: Success Stories ................................................................................. 55
Table 1 Target vs. Achievements Year-5 .................................................................................... 5 Table 2 Performance summary – Farmers ................................................................................. 6 Table 3 Performance summary – WLEWs .................................................................................. 6 Table 4 Performance summary - AITs ........................................................................................ 6 Table 5: Expense of the project - Categories under Cooperative Agreement ............................ 8 Table 6 Forecasted budget for Year-5 ........................................................................................ 9 Table 7 Farm Upgrades by Category in Year-5 ........................................................................ 12 Table 8 Trained vs. targeted farmers ....................................................................................... 14 Table 9 Performance indicators - Farmers ............................................................................... 16 Table 10 Trained vs. Targeted AITs .......................................................................................... 18 Table 11 Bike distribution district wise .................................................................................... 18 Table 12 Performance indicators AITs ..................................................................................... 20 Table 13 Trained vs. targeted WLEWs ..................................................................................... 22 Table 14 Performance indicators WLEWs ................................................................................ 24 Table 15 Performance indicators Refresher WLEWs ............................................................... 25 Table 16: Trainings/Conferences attended year-5................................................................... 32 Table 17: Talent Placement Plan output .................................................................................. 32 Table 18: Sampling population and Sample sizes .................................................................... 46
Figure 1 Target vs. Actual .......................................................................................................... 3 Figure 2 Pre and Post adoption rate of farms for dairy best practices .................................... 12 Figure 3 Life of project targets and trainings provided ........................................................... 14 Figure 4 Target of Year-5 and training target achieved .......................................................... 14 Figure 5 Estimation of Heifer given birth through insemination done by Project trained AITs
.................................................................................................................................................. 21
vi
WLEWs Women Livestock Extension Workers AITs Artificial Insemination Technicians USAID United States Agency for International Development L&DD Livestock and Dairy Development PMU Project Management Unit DRDF Dairy and Rural Development Foundation GDP Gross Domestic Product APR Annual Progress Report M&E Monitoring and Evaluation AI Artificial Insemination FMD Foot and Mouth Disease HS Hemorrhagic Septicemia UVAS University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences LNG Liquid Nitrogen Gas UMB Urea Molasses Blocks Vanda Concentrated animal feed, locally known as “Vanda” NGOs Non-Government Organization MDF Market Development Facility AMD Agriculture Market Development DLO District Livestock Officer FRO Female Reproductive Organs SHE Safety Health and Environment EMMP Environmental Mitigation Monitoring Plan PPE Personal Protective Equipment EDF Environmental Documentation Form NEQS National Environmental Quality Standards ILO International Labor Organization HSE Health Safety and Environment PVTC Punjab’s Vocational Training Council PDBP Pakistan Domestic Bio Gas Program CDF Commercial Dairy Farmers FMT Farm Manger Trainee
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The dairy and livestock sector contributes 11 percent of the total gross domestic product of Pakistan.
The country has an estimated 67 million cattle, with seven million families earning their income from
small scale dairy farming. However, the milk yield per animal is still quite low. Most of the dairy
farmers do not follow progressive dairy farming practices and have limited access to veterinary and
breed improvement services. In this context, the Dairy Project’s extensive training programs for
dairy farmers, Women Livestock Extension Workers (WLEWs) and Artificial Insemination Technicians
(AITs) are playing an important role in transforming the livelihoods of rural communities. The Dairy
Project is aimed at fostering sustainable increase in dairy and livestock productivity through
adoption of best dairy farming practices, breed improvement, availability of timely extension
services, and promotion of livestock businesses. Also, the Dairy Project contributes to the United
States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) strategic objective of creating job
opportunities and increasing incomes across Pakistan.
Followed by successful completion of its four years, the Dairy Project continued trainings for
smallholder dairy farmers and empowering Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs) and the Women
Livestock Extension Workers (WLEWs) as key services providers to small farmers at their door step.
In the fifth year of its implementation, the project covered around 24 districts in Punjab, mainly in
the South Punjab; the majority of the beneficiaries came from the districts Bahawalpur, Vehari,
Lodhran, Khanewal and Multan. Thereafter, the project also beefed-up farm upgradation
component in the reporting period to support small/medium level farmers in upgrading their farms
on cost sharing basis. The upgradation involve development of easily replicable farm models which
can also be used as training and learning centers for surrounding farmers. The project’s farm
upgradation team works closely with these farms to overcome farm level inefficiencies and improve
farm economics. In this regard, the project has launched the 3:1:7 strategy which primarily focuses
on optimal herd composition.
In total in the last two years, the project has contributed/committed PKR 31,738,652 (USD 302,801)
towards the upgradation of 118 farms, whereas the farmers contributed/committed PKR 42,720,000
(USD 407,568). The project targeted 1:1 ratio of the investments in the upgradation of the dairy
farms however the ratio came out to be $1 to $1.37 as the farmers were willing to invest more than
the 50 percent share. The project’s Farm Economist led a team of farm advisors to provide advisory
services to run these upgraded farms effectively. Majority of the farm upgradation requests were for
shed construction, whereas farmers also showed interests towards acquiring silage machines for
their farms. The project initiated its Biogas as a component in the Year-5. It has collaborated with
the Government of Pakistan and is constructing one biogas plant with a capacity of 375 (100 x 3 +
75) cubic meter in Bahadarnagar. Majority of the construction has been completed and the project
expects to inaugurate the plant by December.
The Dairy Project laid down a massive target of training 18,274 farmers in Year-5, and it was a
challenge for the project to mobilize such a huge number of farmers. Moreover, in order to comply
with newly formulated breeding policies of the Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development (L&DD)
department, the project had to reduce its training target of AITs at the start of itsPhase-2 (extension
Phase). The project also faced certain challenges in its WLEW component, including social
constraints and limited access to the input supplies.
Despite these difficulties, the project trained a total of 18,254 farmers, majority of those were given
awareness on dairy farming practices, which was around 95 percent, and 5 percent were imparted
structured trainings. These farmers exhibited a positive response to the trainings and have started
to adopt dairy best farming practices on their farms with an estimated 17 percent increase in milk
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
yields of the dairy animals of trained farmers. In order to further reinforce farmer mobilization and
create mass awareness about the best dairy farm practices, the Communications Team successfully
organized a series of street shows with mobile float announcements, reaching out to more than
14,000 rural men and women in the dairy community. The shows also highlighted the role of women
in the livestock and dairy sector, and their contribution towards dairy development.
The project continued its six-months long Artificial Insemination training course and was able to
train 321 AITs who came across an advantage of getting practical training on the selected farms
before they were certified as AITs. This hands on training boosted up their confidence and helped
them perform more effectively in field. The project-trained AITs are earning on average PKR 12,012
(USD 114.6) per month and performing 45 cases with a conception rate of 73 percent. Furthermore,
the project continued its efforts to empower the rural women community and trained a total of
1,009 WLEWs. The average monthly income of the trained WLEWs is around PKR. 1,648 (USD 15.7),
whereas the WLEWs who attended refresher courses are earning on average PKR 2,138 (USD 20.4).
The project also began connecting the WLEWs to input suppliers and dairy farmers through cluster
formation.
As of September 2016, the project has achieved all its training and farm upgradation targets. Only a
minimal number of farmers need to be given one-day awareness sessions as committed by next
month. Thereafter, project’s Bahawalpur and Burj Attari field offices have been closed after the
completion of training sessions. Key staff from these zonal offices will be moved to Vehari field office
and to the projects Project Management Unit (PMU). Figure 1 Illustrates targets and achievements
of the project for the five years.
The Annual Progress Report—Year Five describes the Dairy Project’s operations and progress during
the period October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. A few stories of successful and hardworking
beneficiaries have also been added to highlight the Dairy Project’s envisioned achievements and
impact.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Figure 1 Target vs. Actual
i. Agreement No.: 391-A-00-11-01206-00
ii. Date of Authorization: January 28th, 2011
iii. Date of Commencement of Project: July 15th, 2011 (Under Modification No. 2 to the
Agreement)
iv. Total USAID Contribution: US $ 21,018,293/-
v. Amount obligated till September 30, 2015: US $ 20,918,293/-
vi. Total project funds expended till September 30, 2016: US $ 20,370,676/-
vii. Funds allocated for No-Cost Extension Phase (1st Oct, 2016to 14th January, 2017) :
US $ 647,617/-
109%
100% 99.9%
101%
100%
103%102% 102%
94%
96%
98%
100%
102%
104%
106%
108%
110%
Farmupgrade
Bio Gas 1DayFarmer
7DayFarmer
30DayFarmer
AIT WLEW RefresherWLEW
%ag
e a
chie
vie
d
Target type
Target vs percentage achieved - Life of project
Achieved %age target
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The Dairy Project commenced in July 2011 under USAID Pakistan’s Economic Growth Strategy with
the Dairy and Rural Development Foundation (DRDF) as the implementing partner. The DRDF is a
not-for-profit, non-government entity established in 1996 by progressive cattle breeders, extension
workers and the milk processing industry. The DRDF has worked extensively with dairy producers
across Punjab on various activities including breeding, feeding, management and animal health
improvement.
The Dairy Project contributes to the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID)
strategic objective of creating job opportunities and increasing incomes. More so, the activities of
the Dairy Project are aligned with Pakistan’s development agenda, and its goal and objectives reflect
national and regional priorities. The Dairy Project is being implemented in all four provinces, with a
major focus in Southern Punjab. The project’s Head Office is based in Lahore and over the life of the
project it has set up field offices in different districts as per need. These included offices in Multan,
Vehari, Chichawatni, Hasilpur, Bahawalpur and Burjattari. The project had a five-year
implementation time span, from July 2011 to January 2016. Recently it has extended its operations
till January 2017 under a no-cost extension. For a detailed overview of the training program see
Annex 1.
The dairy and livestock sector contributes 11 percent of the total GDP of Pakistan. Around 7 million
families are associated with this sector. More than half of the dairy farmers belong to Punjab.
Majority of dairy farmers are owners of small herds (two to three animals) and have limited access
and knowledge of progressive dairy farming practices and quality extension services that can
significantly improve the milk yield and farmers’ dairy income.
In this context, the project aims to foster sustainable increase in dairy and livestock productivity
through adoption of best dairy farming practices, breed improvement, availability of timely
extension services and promotion of livestock businesses. The Dairy Project’s mission comprises of
the following key objectives:
a) Train and build the capacities of dairy farmers in best farming practices
b) Develop human resource to provide artificial insemination and basic veterinary services at
village level
c) Promote entrepreneurship through training unemployed youth and build linkages with input
suppliers and clients
d) Facilitate rural farmers financially in upgrading their farms to incorporate modern dairy
practices
In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, the implementation strategy of the Dairy
Project includes the following components:
i. Training and support for 49,100 dairy farmers from around Pakistan
ii. Training and support for 2,445 Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs)
iii. Training and support for 6,000 Women Livestock Extension Workers (WLEWs)
iv. Awareness campaign that will increase knowledge of best dairy farm practices
v. Facilitate in upgrading 100 dairy farms and constructing 10 small Biogas plants or 1 with
large capacity.
This Annual Progress Report (APR) describes the Dairy Project’s operations and progress during Year-
5, i.e. October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. The report also highlights the project’s achievements,
major challenges, lessons learnt and the way forward.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Upon successful completion of its fourth year, the project continued its trainings for AITs, WLEWs
and farmers and selection of farmers eligible for farm upgradation in the fifth and the last year. It
also focused its efforts towards sustainability of its intervention by providing after training support
to the beneficiaries in the form of follow ups and market linkages. During Year-5, the Dairy Project
trained beneficiaries from 24 districts across Punjab, with a major focus on the south (Bahawalpur,
Lodhran, Khanewal, Multan and Vehari etc.). Selection and screening of farmers, AITs and WLEWs is
carried out through community mobilization against set criteria. A total of 18,254 individuals,
including 1,009 WLEWs and 321 AITs received trainings relating to the modern dairy farming and
extension services. According to the findings of survey done by Monitoring and Evaluation Team
(M&E), the efforts of the project over the five years have resulted in estimated 17% increase in milk
yield for the trained dairy farmers, whereas the trained AITs and WELWs (previously unemployed)
earn on average PKR 12,012 (USD 114.6) and PKR 1,648 (USD 15.7), respectively. The project was
able to upgrade 69 local dairy farms which were also used as model farms to provide awareness
trainings to the farmers. Furthermore, the parent organization, DRDF, is working on establishing
dairy clusters—a dairy input and output supply hub to link and sustain the project beneficiaries
beyond the project life. In this view, initially seven silage machines and two tractors have been
handed over to DRDF by the project, which will be in their possession after project’s closure, which
will help DRDF provide support to the farmers to use during fodder shortage season.
The Project also deployed a data collecting software as a pilot towards the end of the fifth year. The
software was made with the help of third party software house. Through this software, the M&E and
the Field Operations teams collected data at different stages of the operations, which helped them
monitor and verify the operations in real time. The table below presents quarter-wise targets and
achievements for each of the three training components (Annex-5 gives a detailed breakdown of
monthly training). By the end of reporting period, the project was able to meet all its training targets
except One-day farmers trainings, which will be completed in the no-cost extension phase.
Oct-Dec
2015 Jan-Mar 2016
Apr-Jun 2016
Jul-Sep 2016
Total
Beneficiary Type T A T A T A T A T A
Training of farmers on best farming practices
6,625 6,759 6,550 4,129 3,195 5,331 1,903 2,035 18,274 18,254
Training of Women Livestock Extension
Workers (WLEWs) 380 346 380 230 208 310 0 123 968 1,009
Training of Artificial insemination
Technicians (AITs) 58 62 58 74 58 79 0 106 174 321
T=Targets A=Achievements
Table 1 Target vs. Achievements Year-5
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Performance Indicators-Farmer Training Targets Achievement
Increase in milk productivity after applying at least three learned best practices
At least 10 percent increase in milk yield
17 percent
Increase in the project-assisted household real annual income from dairy activities
At least 10 percent increase in household real income
23 percent
Percentage of project-assisted farmers using at least three best practices relative to the baseline
60 percent farmers adopted three or more best practices
67 percent
Table 2 Performance summary – Farmers
Performance Indicators-WLEWs Training Targets Achievement
Income of WLEWs from livestock services relative to the baseline
Average income of at least PKR. 2,000 per month
WLEW - PKR. 1,316 Refresher* - PKR. 2,138
Number of Farmers served by a WLEW in a month WLEW - 8 Refresher – 16
Number of villages served by a WLEW in a month On average 1 village per WLEW
2
Number of project-trained WLEWs providing services as self-employed extension workers
At least 60 percent of the trained WLEWs providing livestock services
WLEW - 27 percent Refresher - 79 percent
*Refresher is a 15-days retraining given to already trained WLEWs
Table 3 Performance summary – WLEWs
Performance Indicators-AITs Training Targets Achievement
Monthly income of AITs from providing AI services relative to the baseline
On average income of at least PKR. 3,000 (US$ 32)per month
PKR. 12,012
Percentage of imported semen used At least 20 percent of the total applied semen by an AIT
13 percent*
Ratio of insemination procedures to pregnancy At most 1.7 insemination per pregnancy
1.66
Percentage of AITs providing professional services to communities
60 percent of AITs 79 percent
*A sanction imposed by the Punjab Livestock department on usage of imported semen.
Table 4 Performance summary - AITs
Disclaimer: These performance indicators are representative of all the beneficiaries which have been trained
by the project over the life of five years. They do not represent only the performance of beneficiary in Year-5.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The Dairy Project’s field offices and training sites were established at the following sites in Year-5:
Burj Attari (District Sheikhupura), Sukheki (District Hafiz Abad), Vehari (District Vehari) and
Bahawalpur (District Bahawalpur). Through these sites, the project achieved the envisioned training
targets. During the past five years, the project not only focused on Punjab but also tapped into other
provinces; the project’s success can now be assessed across Pakistan. However, in Year-5, the
project focused on South Punjab, and the major operational districts were Lodhran, Vehari,
Bahawalpur, Multan and Khanewal. These district contributed to about 96% of the total beneficiaries
trained. Following figure shows the geographical coverage (beneficiaries’ districts) in the past five
years’ interventions.
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Expense Categories under Cooperative Agreement
Budgeted Amount in US Dollars
Variance
Personnel Cost 1,066,380 1,005,435 6%
Travel 175,417 244,989 (40)%
Equipment and Supplies 350,250 645,557 (84)%
Other Direct Costs 1,285,708 1,470,909 (14)%
Total 2,877,755 3,366,890 (17)%
Table 5: Expense of the project - Categories under Cooperative Agreement
30%
7%
19%
44%
Pecentage of Expense by Category
Personnel Cost
Travel
Equipement and Supplies
Other Direct Costs
But with lots of good ideas, implementation is the key, and so we
need to keep our eye on the ball as we go forward and make sure
that people honor their pledges in terms of financial commitments,
and that we actually use this money so that it makes a real
difference.
-Mitchell Reiss
Photo: Dairy Project
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
In Year-5, the variation in the actual expenditures and forecasted budget is due to a number of
reasons. Few of the major contributors were as follows:
i. Due to last year change in training policy by Punjab Livestock Department i.e. from 1-month
to 6-months training, the relevant project procurements i.e. artificial insemination kits,
motor bikes etc. were delayed to year 5 instead of year 4.
ii. The activities of distribution of subsided sexed semen and biogas plant took place in year 5
instead of year 4.
iii. In Year 4, there were delays in the startup of the farm upgradation activities so a major
number of farms were built in year 5.
The below table provides a snapshot of budgeted expenditures for No-Cost Extension Phase of the
project. The budget forecasting is done keeping in view the remaining training targets and Close-Out
activities in this phase.
Expense Categories No-Cost Ext Phase (Oct 2016 to 14th Jan 2017) Amount in US Dollars
Personnel Cost 333,988
Travel 52,869
Equipment and Supplies 47,248
Other Direct Costs 213,512
Total 647,617
Table 6 Forecasted budget for Year-5
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The training progress and effect on livelihood(s) are monitored and evaluated by Project’s M&E
team. The M&E team conducts sample based surveys occasionally, to obtain the necessary data to
evaluate the project’s performance. In Year-5, due to budget constraint, the M&E team planned its
quarterly survey in the most cost effective way. The team decided to conduct one survey at the mid
of year-5. The survey conducted in April 2016 was very comprehensive which represented all project
trained beneficiaries in five years. In these internal surveys, data is collected against performance
indicators of all three components of the program. The project also initiated external evaluation
study, which will be followed by an End-line report in the coming months. For brief details on
evaluation methodology see Annex-2.
Dairy Project is providing technical and financial support to farms with herd size of 15-30 milking
animals, so that these upgraded farms can serve as a training and motivational model for
neighboring small dairy farmers. On these farms, one-day training and practical demonstrations on
implementation of best farming practices is provided to the local farming community. Apart from
the training, the farmers can revisit the farms to seek guidance. This is a much faster way to spread
awareness among the rural dairy population, and facilitates the farmers interested in upgradation of
their farms but do not have the required resources.
Animal nutrition is an essential part of animal health and milk productivity and cost of production of
fodder is a major concern for the farmers. As part of the Dairy Project’s vision to enhance rural
incomes, the project aimed to shift 10 irrigation tube wells running on fuel/electricity to manure
biogas units. This would have helped reduce the energy cost by reutilizing the waste of the dairy
farm i.e. cow dung and at the same time slurry from these biogas units could have been used as
manure/fertilizer thereby improving the fertility of the surrounding cultivated land as an additional
benefit to the farmer. However, due to some disagreements with the farmers the project decided to
construct one large capacity biogas plant on one of the government owned dairy farm in year-5.
Farm Upgradation Highlights In Year 5, the project was successful in upgrading 69 farms exceeding to its actual target of 50 farms.
The farm upgradation component remained highly successful, enabling the project to reach out to
advanced number of farmers compared to its first three years. Thereafter, the project invested in
more farms than envisaged. The farms upgraded in Year-5 are located in the district of Vehari,
Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Lodhran, Multan and Lahore. Table 7 on next page shows the type of
upgradation performed on the 69 farms upgraded in the reporting Year. Once the farm is selected
and the agreement is signed between both the parties, the farm is open for One-day and Seven-day
farmer trainings, being accessible for five years.
In total, the project has been able to select 118 farms for upgradation in two years and out of these
110 have been completed. The Dairy Project has contributed/committed a total of PKR. 31,738,652
(USD. 302,801) for the upgradation of the 118 farms, whereas the farmers contributed/committed
PKR. 42,720,000 (USD. 407,568). This investment in upgradation would be the first step towards
viable commercial dairy farming for small dairy holders.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Dairy Projects’ Master Trainer Dr. Abdil Jamil
discussing the implementation of 3:1:7 on Dairy
Project upgraded farm at Borewala, District Vehari
Photo: Dairy Project
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Request of upgrades Count
Shed Construction 41
Milking Machine 15
Silage Machine 9
Soiling 5
Silage Bunker 4
Fencing 3
Cooling System 3
Sand Bunkers 2
Milking Parlor 2
Flooring 1
Calf cage 1
Milking Area 1
Grand Total 87*
*A farm under upgradation may have more than 1 facility being upgraded
Table 7 Farm Upgrades by Category in Year-5
Apart from the upgradation of these farms, the project has a Farm Economics team which gathers
data on a monthly basis and provides advisory services to such farms. The team has come up with a
3:1:7 strategy, entailing 305 milking days, at least one calf per year and 70 percent lactating animals,
throughout the year. From analyzing the data, it was observed that the production cost on the
selected farms adopting traditional practices was, on average, higher than the dairy standards.
Hence, the farm upgradation team is providing helpful solutions to decrease such costs making them
more cost effective.
The farmers are showing keen interest in making their farms more cost effective and also adopting
best dairy practices. The below given figure-2 shows, pre and post adoption rate of best practices by
these farms. As the farm plays an important role for mobilizing the farmers and acts as a model farm
for the nearby villagers in the dairy business, the project was able to provide a total of 17,749
farmer’s awareness sessions on these farms. Not only this, there is also spillover effect of this
activity, as the nearby farmers have started upgrading their farms on their own by hiring the local
vendors who had worked on the project’s upgraded farms.
Shed Construction
47%
Milking Machine
17%
Silage Machine
10%
Soiling6%
Silage Bunker
5%
Fencing4%
Cooling System
4%
Sand Bunkers
2%
Milking Parlour
2%
Flooring1%
Calf cage1% Milking Area
1%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Pre Post
Figure 2 Pre and Post adoption rate of farms for dairy best practices
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Biogas Plant Highlights The project in the last two years put extra effort to establish the 10 biogas plants it had committed
at the start of the extension phase. In Year-5, after advertising about this activity on different media
outlets, farmers were shortlisted and interviewed for the construction of these plants on their farms.
However, the farmers were reluctant to work with the project as they wanted local vendors to
construct these plants on their farms. This would have meant compromise on quality assurance and
as per the USAID policy on vendor selection, these local vendors were not eligible for taking up this
task. The project was unable to influence these farmers to let the project select the appropriate
vendor for the construction. Hence, later it was decided that rather to construct 10 small scale
biogas plants, the project should install one large capacity biogas plant of 375 (300 x 3 + 75) cubic
meter capacity in collaboration with the Punjab Livestock and Development Department dairy farm
in Bahadur Nagar, Okara.
As of September 2016, almost 80 percent of the construction work has been completed. The
structure has been insulated with polymeric foam and it has also been ensured to be water tight by
using chemical treatment. Now a days, the construction of outlets is in progress, whereas its
inauguration is expected in the month of December. The ideal condition will be to get 1.6bar of gas
pressure in minimum.
On the left: Outlet construction of the biogas
plant. On the right: Polymeric form insulation
in process of Bio Gas plant being constructed
by the Dairy Project at Bahadurnaagar Dairy
Farm, Okara
Photo: Dairy Project
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The Dairy Project is creating awareness about best practices through various trainings for dairy
farmers. Previously, the trainings included Two-day training for traditional small farmers, Four-days
training for progressive farmers, and One-month training for commercial farmers and farm
managers. In the two year extension period, the project shifted from Two-days training to One-day
trainings, Four-day training to Seven-day trainings and continued the One-month training program.
Through these trainings, the farming community is significantly adopting modern dairy farming
techniques, resulting in increased milk production and long term development in the dairy sector.
Farmers’ Training Highlights In the current reporting period, 18,274 farmers in total were targeted for trainings, whereas, around
18,254 famers were trained , including 17,205 traditional small farmers who attended One-day
training, 1,023 progressive farmers who attended Seven-days training ,and 26 farm managers and
commercial farmers who attended the One-month training at Nestle training farm Sukheki. Seven-
day trainings and One-month trainings targets have been achieved, only minimal number of One-day
trainings target is to be achieved. To date, the Dairy Project has successfully trained a total of 49,265
farmers against its overall target of 49,100 farmers. After the successful completion of trainings,
Seven-day farmers were provided with a small support kits. Followed by post training follow up
support. Out of the 18,274 farmers trained, 4,241 (23%) were female farmers who attended One-
day and Seven-day training sessions.
Variance
Beneficiaries targeted during the reporting period 18,274 -0.11%
Beneficiaries reached during the reporting period 18,254
Beneficiaries targeted to date* 49,100 +0.33%
Beneficiaries reached to date* 49,265
*30th of September, 2016
Table 8 Trained vs. targeted farmers
Figure 3 Life of project targets and trainings provided
Figure 4 Target of Year-5 and training target achieved
The project had planned to conduct farmer days with an objective of creating mass awareness about
the best dairy farming practices. It was also planned to introduce dairy input suppliers and
37,900
11,200
37,852
11,413
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
Awarness Structural
LOP Target
Target Achieved
17,253
1,021
17,205
1,049
-
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
20,000
Awarness Structural
Year-5 Target
Target Achieved
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Dairy Project’s Master Trainer Dr. Abdul Qayyum
explaining the Silage making process to Dairy Farmers
at Nestle Dairy Farm Sukhaki.
Photo: Dairy Project
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
few of our trained extension workers so as to complement their business. Where majority of the
farmer days had been conducted in Year-4, in Year-5, the project conducted five such gatherings. In
these farmer days, the beneficiaries set up their stalls to promote their extension business, whereas
different representatives from the suppliers’ side come and market their products. This helped
linking all the farmers, dairy extension service providers and suppliers. The Dairy Project’s follow up
teams were also available to provide technical advice to the local farmers on dairy farming. Through
this exercise, the project was able to reach out to 3,612 farmers interested in acquiring follow up
support from the project.
Since project’s awareness sessions on fodder preservation, silage demand is increasing day by day.
The project has its own silage making machinery and a team which facilitates the farmers in making
the silage and spreads awareness about it. The project in this year organized 25 of such shows which
covered an area of on average 3 to 5 acres of land per show with an estimated attendance 1,670 of
farmers in total. These silage making machineries have now been handed over to DRDF, so as to
continue with such activities for the farmers.
Below are the performance indicators set by the M&E team to measure the impact of the
intervention(s). These indicators were evaluated by conducting a comprehensive survey in April
2016. The statistics are representative of all the beneficiaries trained over the span of five years by
the project and are the best estimates of the true picture. For detailed methodology of the survey
refer to Annex-2. All values are average of the total sampled Farmers.
Indicators Targets Performance
Average increase in the project-assisted household real annual income from dairy
activities relative to the baseline
At least 10 percent increase in the household’s income from dairy activities.
23%
Percentage of farmers getting vaccination done, for FMD and HS, for their dairy animals
At least 40 percent of the farmers.
97%
Average monthly (per animal owned by project-assisted household) quantity of milk produced
relative to the baseline
At least 10 percent increase in milk yield.
17%
Percentage of farmers using services of WLEWs relative to the baseline
At least ten percent farmers using services of WLEWs.
32%
Percentage of project-assisted farmers using at least three best practices relative to the baseline
60 percent farmers adopted three best practices
67%
Number of project-assisted farmers trained in business practices, and book-keeping
97.7 percent farmers 100%
Table 9 Performance indicators - Farmers
The project had aimed to increase the milk yields of the dairy animals of the trained farmers by 10
percent resulting in increased income. According to the recent survey, on an average a 17 percent
increase in milk yield was reported, which resulted in on average an increase of 23 percent in
household incomes owing to adoption of best dairy farm practice by 67 percent trained farmers.
Disease outbreaks such as Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) and Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) in the
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
dairy animals are quite common in Pakistan. In Dairy Project’s training modules, more emphasis is
given on the importance of vaccination against such diseases. Due to these efforts, on average 97
percent of the trained farmers are timely vaccinating their animals against these diseases and taking
precautionary measures. Linking these farmers with the trained WLEWs is very important as well to
create a dairy hub, so that the farmers have access to good quality animal extension services. About
32 percent of the trained farmers are getting basic animal health care treatment and feed input
services from project trained WLEWs.
Photo: Dairy Project
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
One of the most important components of the Dairy Project is training on Artificial Insemination (AI),
which aims to improve breed and provide timely extension services. Trainees are given lectures and
practical demonstration on business, marketing and road safety in the Burj-Attari and Bahawalpur
training sites. Visits to Sukheki farm and cattle markets are also part of the AI training. The final
examination and practical are administered by University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS),
Lahore. After successful completion of trainings, AITs are provided with a support kit that includes a
liquid nitrogen gas cylinder for semen storage, semen straws, and other necessary equipment.
AITs Training Highlights With the recent change in Livestock Breeding Act, the project continued its AI training with the
duration of six months. The project aimed to train 309 AITs in Year-5 and complete this component
by June 2016. In total, it trained 321 AITs this year and completed its total training target of 2,455
AITs. Thereafter, the AI training centers will be closed by next month. This year, the project focused
its AI trainings intervention towards Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur and Khanewal districts. As of
September, 2016, the project has trained a total of 2,489 AITs.
Variance
Beneficiaries targeted during the reporting period 309 +3.88%
Beneficiaries reached during the reporting period 321
Beneficiaries targeted to date* 2,445 +1.79%
Beneficiaries reached to date* 2,489
*30th of September, 2016 Table 10 Trained vs. Targeted AITs
In order to facilitate the work of established entrepreneurs (AITs), the project also provides a
motorbike to the AITs, upon successful completion of AI trainings. These bikes are awarded to them
on 50% cost sharing basis. As of September 30, 2016, the project awarded 2069 motorbikes whereas
350 motorbikes were handed over among successful AITs in the reporting period. The distribution of
bikes is shown in the following table:
Province
Bikes Distributed in
Year-Five Lifetime of Project*
Punjab 350 1,831
Sindh 0 84
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 0 101
Balochistan 0 47
Gilgit-Balistan 0 6
Total 350 2,069
*from July 2011 till 30th of September 2016
Table 11 Bike distribution district wise
Owing to change in the Punjab Government’s livestock policy, the project was unable to distribute
subsidized sexed semen’s to the farmers during last year. It was followed by a discussion with the
livestock Secretary of Punjab with a consensus to distribute the subsidized sexed semen to the
farmers by utilizing DRDF supply chain. Thereafter, a total of 25,000 doses of such semen have been
provided to the local farmers through DRDF.
PHOTO: DAIRY PROJECT
PHOTO: DAIRY PROJECT
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Dairy Project Trained AI Technician Arranges AI rod for
the procedure at 471 EB Burewala District Vehari.
Photo: Dairy Project
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Below is the table of performance indicators to measure the performance of AITs trained over the
last five years. All values are average of the total sampled AITs.
Indicators Targets Performance
Average per month income of AITs from providing extension services relative to the
baseline
At least Income PKR. 3,000 (US$ 32) per month
PKR. 12,012
Number of insemination procedures performed per AIT/per month
On average 20 insemination per month by an AIT
45
Number of villages served by project-trained AIT
On average 4 villages per AIT 9
Percentage of AITs t providing professional services to communities
60 percent of AITs 79%
Conception rate of service provided by project trained AIT*
Conception rate of 60 percent Straws 60% Overall 73%
Percentage of imported semen used At least 20 percent of the total semen applied
13.29%
Percentage of AITs attending follow up meetings
At least 70 percent of the AITs attending such meetings
72%
Number of AITs trained in book-keeping, business management
100 percent 100%
*Conception rates mentioned are in 2 ways. One is calculated considering the total straws kept (total pregnant/total straws kept) and the other is calculated simply by dividing total pregnant animal by total tests.
Table 12 Performance indicators AITs
The AI component remained the most successful intervention of the project which provided the
trained individuals with a regular and stable income stream and also acted as a catalyst improving
the breed of animals in the region.
Due to the change in Punjab Government’s livestock policy in last year, there were a few hurdles the
project had to face in implementing the AI component. However, after redesigning the AI training
curriculum and timelines, the component is still achieving amazing results (Table 12). The average
income of project trained AITs is estimated to be PKR. 12,012 (USD. 114.6) which is way above the
set target. From the surveys, we can estimate that the average conception rate of the animals
inseminated by the project trained AITs is around 73 percent similar to the national average. Over
the past five years, the AITs have been able to market themselves in the field and have established
regular clients. On average, an AIT can perform 45 insemination per month and cover a total of 9
nearby villages.
The project also supports and provides technical assistance to the newly trained AITs for three
months even after they have completed their training. Initially, these AITs are provided technical
support, monthly follow up and free weekly Liquid Nitrogen Gas (LNG) refills. This year a total of 590
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
individuals benefited from monthly follow ups and around 56 were addressed during the quarterly
follow ups. Through these follow ups, the AITs are also updated with the changing livestock policies.
Figure 5 Estimation of Heifer given birth through insemination done by Project trained AITs
Using the data collected over the last five years and applying modest assumption, we can estimate
that around 789,550 heifers have been given birth through the insemination done by the project
trained AITs from July 2012 till September 2016, which is 185,686 heifer per year, contributing
significantly to the milk industry of Pakistan.
500 700 900 1,100 1,300 1,500 1,700 1,900 2,100 2,300 2,500
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
JUL-
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2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
AIT
s tr
ain
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bo
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Working AITs Heifer per quarter Linear (Heifer per quarter)
Photo: Dairy Project
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Women Livestock Extension Workers (WLEW) is an important component of the Dairy Project as it
ensures provision of timely quality extension and basic veterinary services to dairy farmers at their
door steps. Moreover, this component serves the long term goals of female empowerment and
establishing women as credible entrepreneurs in rural areas. With a high non-active rate of trained
WLEWs witnessed towards the end of Year-3, the project decided to start providing refresher
trainings to WLEWs so they could again be geared to initiate their businesses. The training is
followed by one-month technical support to the trained WLEWs. Farmer help camps are also
arranged in the last week of training of each batch (in some of selected villages to ensure their hands
on practice) to treat animals of the community free of cost. Furthermore, visits of model dairy farms,
veterinary hospital and milk collection center are also arranged for trained WLEWs, to give them
practical insight about modern farm practices and animal treatment.
WLEWs Training Highlights A total of 1,009 WLEWs were trained in the reporting period against a target of 968. Out of 1,009
WLEWs trained, 531 received refresher trainings while 478 attended new trainings. The WLEWs
trained in Year-5 were mostly hailing from districts Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Khanewal and
Pakpattan. Whereas, refresher trainings were given in districts Vehari, Multan, Khanewal and
Bahawalpur. To date, the project has given training to 7,055 WLEWs from the project’s envisaged
target of 7,000.
Variance
Beneficiaries targeted during the reporting period 968 4.23%
Beneficiaries reached during the reporting period 1,009
Beneficiaries targeted to date* 7,000 0.78%
Beneficiaries reached to date* 7,055
*30th of September, 2016 Table 13 Trained vs. targeted WLEWs
The project’s mobilization team conducted a total 476 community meetings in the reporting year.
Due to social unacceptability for women working outside their homes, the team faced challenges in
mobilizing the non-working female community. More so, the selection of (minimum) matriculated
women was another challenge. Hence, these community meetings helped the mobilizers to bring all
the community member together at one place and brief them about the project intervention and
how the unemployed women in their villages can play an important role in the dairy and livestock
sector.
Farmer help camps are an integral part of the WLEW trainings. In these camps the farmers are
invited to bring their animals and get them vaccinated or treated free of cost by the trained WLEWs.
The project ensures that such treatment by the newly trained WLEWs are done under the
supervision of their master trainers. During the reporting period, a total of 230 farmer help camps
were conducted attended by around 13,760 farmers. Such camps introduce WLEWs to the farming
community and help them establish their credibility.
As WLEWs find it hard to get input supplies at their door steps, the project assigned follow up teams
to link the trained WLEWs with input suppliers (medicine and Vanda). Apart from that, the team also
put efforts to stretch their existing linkages with the market for recycling of medicine, vanda and
urea molasses blocks (UMB).
PHOTO: DAIRY PROJECT
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Photo: Dairy Project
Dairy Projects’ Master Trainer Dr. Noseheen
instructing Dairy Project beneficiaries about basic
health care of animal and temperature checking at
Quaid-e-Azam Colony, Hasilpur Road, Distrct
Bahawalpur.
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The project introduced the beneficiaries to the local community and suppliers in their induction
meetings. Around 390 induction meetings took place this year, where approximately 19,433
community members attended. Also, the trained WLEWs are provided with contact numbers of key
input suppliers in their area. However, this is still not enough to make the component sustainable in
the future.
Following are the performance indicators related to the trained WLEWs (including the ones given
refresher) by the project over the five years. All values are average of the total sampled WLEWs.
Indicators Targets Performance
Average per month income of WLEWs from livestock services relative to the baseline
Income of at least PKR. 2,000 per month
PKR. 1,648
Number of farmers using the services of project trained WLEW per month
13
Number of villages served by project-trained WLEW per month
On average 1 village per month 2
Number of project-trained WLEWs providing services as self-employed extension workers
At least 60 percent of the trained WLEWs providing livestock services.
38%
Number of WLEWs operating/managing project-supported milk collection points in
project-assisted communities
At least 20 Milk Collection Points
16
Number of WLEWs trained in business practices, book-keeping, and milk collection
100 percent 100%
Table 14 Performance indicators WLEWs
The project continued to put its effort in empowering the rural women in Punjab region. However,
there are other factors which need to be addressed to make these efforts more fruitful. Social
constraint is one of the major issues these rural women face when they compete with local male
extension workers. Due to these social constraints, these women are not able to work to their full
potential. The average income of the WLEWs trained over the past five years is estimated to be PKR
1,648 (USD. 15.7) per month. Retention rate of these trained beneficiaries is around 38 percent,
however, despite the social and cultural barriers, there are few strong women in the region who
continued to establish their business in their villages. Such WLEWs are also given refresher courses
by the project to further increase their foothold in the area. The following table shows the average
incomes of such WLEWs who attended the refresher trainings.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Indicators Targets Performance
Average per month income of WLEWs from livestock services relative to the baseline
Income of at least PKR. 2,000 per month (US$ 32)
PKR. 2,138
Number of farmers using the services of project trained WLEW per month
16
Number of villages served by project-trained WLEW per month
On average 1 village per month 2
Number of project-trained WLEWs providing services as self-employed extension workers
At least 60 percent of the trained WLEWs providing livestock services.
79%
Table 15 Performance indicators Refresher WLEWs
The WLEWs who received refresher courses earn an increased monthly income of PKR 2,138 (USD.
20.4), on an average. These WLEWs perform, on average, 29 treatment/vaccination cases, sell 6
units of nutrient inputs for the dairy animals, serve 16 farmers and cover two villages. The project
makes efforts to introduce the extension workers to input suppliers—at least two suppliers on an
average. In order to overcome the social and cultural constraints, the project also organized a
number of mass awareness activities, such as street shows with mobile float announcements to
highlight the role of women in the livestock and dairy sector, and their contribution towards dairy
development.
Photo: Dairy Project
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The Dairy Project’s Mass Awareness Campaigns aims to translate Dairy Project’s scale, scope and
outreach efforts using different media formats. It disseminates USAID’s key message among the key
target stakeholders, academia, beneficiaries and partners complying with branding and marking
guidelines. Over the last five years, these campaigns remained highly instrumental to help Dairy
Project achieve its ultimate objectives to transform livelihoods through power of persuasion, using
traditional and non-traditional media formats. So far, around three million dairy households and
public-private stakeholders across Pakistan with major focus in South Punjab, have benefitted
through these advocacy and outreach efforts.
A brief overview of a series of initiatives taken in the reporting period is given below:
A. USAID-DRDF Dairy Project diary & calendar was designed and published for the year 2016. It
was disseminated among all major stakeholders including dairy industry, Livestock
department, district administration, NGOs, academia, dairy farming community and
partners. The diary focused on Dairy Project’s interventions and commitment in terms of
sustainable dairy model, economic profitability, cluster formation, social and economic
equity for the dairy farming community.
B. Furthermore, based on the successful roll-out of the first round of street shows with mobile
float announcements, a second-round of the same was organized in the months of
December and January, 2015. During this round, 31 shows were conducted in Vehari,
Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalpur and suburbs to raise awareness about best farm practices,
project interventions and to sensitize the farming community for different training
programs, carried out under Dairy Project. More than 14,000 dairy farmers with a sizeable
portion of rural women attended these shows. Followed by this, a third-round of street
shows with mobile float announcements was rolled-out in the months of March and April,
2016 to raise awareness about the DRDF Semen Subsidy Campaign that seeks to promote
subsidized supply of semen to Artificial Insemination Technicians. Moreover, it also intended
to encourage dairy farmers to learn and implement best farm practices for improved milk
yield and higher incomes. As a result, 20 shows were conducted with an outreach of 8,000
rural men and women in attendance.
C. On December 04, 2015, the Dairy Project hosted a certificate distribution ceremony for the
last batch of farm managers who undertook the one-month long farm management training
program, at Faletti’s Hotel, Lahore. The purpose of the event was to congratulate farm
managers on the completion of the one-month course, as well as to motivate them to
continue contributing to the development of Pakistan’s dairy and livestock sector. The
ceremony was attended by various notable personalities who are playing key role in the
transformation of dairy sector in Pakistan.
D. On January 2016, provided support in organizing the event ‘Valuing Lives through Dairy
Development’. Its purpose was to showcase USAID-DRDF Dairy Project and its commitment
in terms of sustainable dairy development, economic profitability, and social and economic
equity for the dairy farming community. It provided public – private stakeholders and guests
with an opportunity to interact with the project beneficiaries, visit their stalls and model
sheds, attend the cattle breed exhibit, and examine the mobile float used for mass
awareness activities. Further, it also helped Dairy Project highlight USAID’s assistance to
unemployed rural youth by skills based AI training, small entrepreneurship opportunities and
increased incomes.
E. Published a newspaper supplement in Jang Lahore and Multan editions. The supplement
gave the project an opportunity to publicize USAID – DRDF Dairy Project’s interventions,
achievements and impact on the dairy sector with an estimated reach out of 215,000. The
supplement was published on Thursday, January 28, 2016.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
F. Helped Dairy Project exhibit in UVAS Job Fair on January 27, 2016 and LUMS Job Fair on
January 30, 2016. Dairy Project’s stalls attracted over a total of around 250 students who
displayed a keen interest in joining our growing team.
G. The Communications team supported Dairy Project organize a round-table discussion on
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD in collaboration with Punjab Livestock and Dairy
Development Department (L&DD), University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS)
Lahore, and USAID PEEP Project. The round-table discussion was held on February 24, 2016
at UVAS, Lahore. The discussion revolved around the prevalence of FMD in Pakistan’s
livestock sector. The discussion revolved around the prevalence of FMD in Pakistan’s
livestock sector. The participants, hailing from the public and private sectors, believed that
scaling the production of local strains and aligning with the Government of Punjab’s policy
objectives would go a long way in combating the threat of FMD. There was unanimous
agreement that public-private sector collaboration would pave the way to mitigate and/or
solve the issue.
H. As an integral part of Dairy Project’s Mass Awareness Component, the Communications
Team designed, printed and disseminated its newsletter, Dairy Project Portal (Volume IV,
Issue 1). In this respect, 430 copies of the newsletter were distributed among public and
private stakeholders and key project staff, reaching out to 43 organizations. Furthermore,
the newsletter was shared on the Dairy Project website and Facebook page, as well as with
USAID DOCS.
I. The Dairy Project published two newspaper articles in Pakistan Observer and Daily Times on
February 28 and March 06, respectively. The first article focused on farm upgradation and
the 3:1:7 strategy, while the second article highlighted the role of the Dairy Project in
promoting gender empowerment in rural communities, and coincided with the International
Women’s Day (March 08, 2016).
J. On April 5th and 6th, the Dairy Project participated in the Dawn Pakistan Food & Agri Expo
2016. The project showcased its four-year achievements to a large audience, with more than
400 persons visiting the project stall. The project-trained beneficiaries donned traditional
clothes and the stall was decorated with promotional material, branded skins and traditional
rural props, which added to the stall’s charm. The project master trainers ensured that all
questions and queries received from the visitors were answered meticulously. Furthermore,
a live theatre performance on best farm practices was also organized at the Expo Center.
This activity was a crowd puller and was deemed a huge success by the visitors. Visitors’
reach out was maintained through visitor record forms; over 400 forms were filled out.
K. Developed and disseminated two training Video Modules on the topics of Mastitis and
Vaccination & De-worming. The objective of these video modules is to create a
comprehensive guide that details each step of the best farming practice, and explains its
significance to help rural farmers adopt and replicate the best farm practices, thereby
improving their farm economics. Followed by this, shooting for the six more training video
modules and the pick shots was completed. This was followed by editing and production of
animations. Final deliverables will be shared by the end of November.
L. As part of the mass dissemination plan of Training Video Modules, a bulk SMS campaign was
successfully rolled-out reaching out project beneficiaries including 2365 AITs, 37,940
Farmers, and 6,544 WLEWs. On completion of seven other video modules, this campaign will
be resumed.
M. The team helped design and develop awareness boards for project-upgraded farms. These
boards are installed in rural areas of South Punjab to help ensure an effective outreach to
key project stakeholders including project-trained beneficiaries, farming communities,
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
N. NGOs, etc., for increased awareness on USAID-DRDF Dairy Project interventions in the dairy
sector.
O. As part of the project’s mass awareness campaign, a flyer on Brucellosis was designed and
shared with Project Management. Brucellosis, otherwise known as undulant fever, is a
disease which affects animals and humans, causing late term abortions and stillbirths, fever,
weakness, and infertility. The flyer will be disseminated among rural communities to
increase awareness and will also be incorporated into the dairy guides.
P. Communications Team disseminated over 400 copies of its newsletter, Dairy Project Portal
(Volume IV, Issue 2), among public and private stakeholders reaching out to around 44
organizations. Furthermore, the newsletter was shared on the Dairy Project website and
Facebook page, as well as with USAID DOCS for extensive reach out.
Q. Filming pf major chunk of bio-gas video was completed. This will be followed by recording of
interviews of key stakeholders, editing and first-cut by first week of November. This video
will give a detailed walkthrough to the audience taking them through each step of the biogas
construction and explains its significance.
R. Helped Dairy Project showcase its five-year achievements and impact in a workshop hosted
by USAID’s Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) Project, at University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad. The objective of the workshop was to share Dairy Project’s successful
interventions, best practices, lessons learnt and explore further opportunities to sustain the
milestones achieved so far. The workshop was chaired by Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmed, Chief of
Party, CAS, Ahmad Sajjad CEO, DRDF and Dr. Umar Farooq, GM Field Operations, Dairy
Project. Other participants included Dairy Project and CAS’ key management, UAF faculty
members and postgraduate DVM students. The Communication team provided support in
project presentations and presented communications activities and lessons learnt.
S. Developed Dairy Project’s branded racks to be placed in various leading universities’
libraries, commercial organizations and partners’ premises. The objective of this initiative
was to sustain Dairy Project’s interventions and achievements by sharing project’s all
intellectual work, knowledge and data bank for extensive and immediate outreach to
researchers, academia and others interested. In this view, small ribbon cutting ceremonies
took place at University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore and Pattoki Campuses,
Baha-ud- Din Zikriya Campus, Multan and COMSATS, Sahiwal. This will be followed by rack
placement in University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
and Islamiyah University, Bahawalpur.
T. The Communications team provided necessary support to other departments as and when
required, including reviewing and editing reports, proposals, memorandums, letters and
project advertisements. Furthermore, to ensure effective project promotion and
dissemination among internal and external stakeholders, the team also designed and printed
mobilization and training material, such as training curriculums, banners, flip charts,
brochures, record registers, certificates, giveaways, stationary items, staff cards etc.
U. The team has strategically incorporated social media as part of its outreach and advocacy
efforts to advance its objectives. Keeping in view the importance of social and digital media
in modern society, the Communications Team updated its Project website and actively
promoted Dairy Project’s significant activities, interventions and impact on Facebook to
reach out to a wider audience.
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Five years back, at its inception, the Dairy project had planned to foster sustainable increase in dairy
and livestock productivity. More so, it had committed to the USAID strategic objective of creating job
opportunities and increasing incomes. Amazingly, the project has achieved about all its envisaged
targets and objectives. However, there is still a lot to be done in the dairy sector of Pakistan. The
project’s interventions have considerably impacted the lives of rural farming community through
improved breeds and milk yield, increased incomes and job opportunities for the rural youth
including women. Furthermore, in order to sustain this impact, the Dairy Project has taken following
measures:
To ensure project-trained AITs’ active presence in future, the project has taken steps to assist these
AITs in registering themselves with the Livestock and Dairy Development (L&DD) department
Punjab. This will help these AITs have continuous and sustainable support from the local district
livestock offices beyond the project life. DRDF, the parent organization, has also increased its
operations and introduced new supply routes to help the AITs have link to quality semen supply. It is
also providing subsidized sexed semen to AITs so that they can develop strong links with the local
farmers in their respective area.
Apart from this, the Dairy Project has shared complete list of project-trained WLEWs with the
Livestock Secretary of Punjab. With this initiative, the services of these WLEWs can be acquired in
mass vaccination campaigns led by L&DD Punjab. While on the other hand, the project has assisted
these WLEWs in strengthening their contacts by introducing them to the other stakeholders in their
community. Further, to bring the trained WLEWs together and work as a union, the project
developed small clusters. These clusters comprise of few villages located in close vicinity of the one,
where these WLEWs have been trained. Each cluster has a designated cluster head who collects
orders of input supplies for the cluster members and distributes among them. These trained WLEWs
have also been introduced to the upgraded farm owners so that they can facilitate them with timely
vaccination, and basic animal healthcare and management extension services.
The project has also taken steps to link these beneficiaries with other NGOs and stakeholders
working in the region such as PLAN Pakistan and different feed lot groups like Oasis. Different
trainings were also arranged through AusAID’s Market Development Facility (MDF) Project and
USAID Agriculture Market Development (AMD) Project for sustainable links. Some of the cluster
heads have been trained to collect complete household and village level data related to livestock for
USAID AMD Project and DRDF.
Moreover, the project-trained dairy farmers have been linked to DRDF for the steady supply of
semen and for any other technical assistance required. The project has also established their links
with the processing companies such as Nestle Pakistan. Ltd. and Engro food Ltd., which will sure
strong backward and forward linkages of these farmers with the dairy industry stakeholders. The
project has handed over its silage making machines to DRDF, which will sustain Dairy Project’s
support to the local farmers in making silage during fodder shortage season. Currently, on monthly
basis, Dairy Project’s follow up teams collect economic data of the upgraded farms to analyze the
cost of feed and production and introduce them to 3:1:7 strategy so that they can run their farms
optimally . To continue this activity, the project has planned to distribute project-used laptops to 25
of the top performing upgraded farms owners. These laptops will be loaded with data sheets
through which the farmers can do self-business analysis and run feasibilities. The project has also
linked these farms with the input supply companies for procurement of silage and milking machines
for maintenance and spare parts requirements.
Photo: Dairy Project
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Thus, the Dairy Project is confident to sustain its interventions and impact through afore-stated
efforts. However, in order to bring all beneficiaries together and help them work as one dairy hub,
clustering of all agents and stakeholders is quiet essential, where all input supplies are available and
farmers have access to quality dairy extension services for their animals.
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
During Year-5 of the Dairy Project, the HR department focus was to retain and develop the Human
resource to achieve operational targets. HR department facilitated the project staff to be part of the
training sessions, symposiums and seminars and professional certification courses organized by
recognized institutions locally such as LUMS, UVAS, UAF, COMSATS, and internationally as well as
other technical training providers. Details on these participation is given below in Table 16.
Training/ Conferences Tittle Month Institute No. of Participants
TOT 2016 Jan-16 COMSATS Institute of Information technology
20
Women’s leadership and Empowerment Conference Bangkok, Thailand
Mar-16 Tomorrow People organization
7
Rural Development Conference Bangkok, Thailand
Mar-16 Tomorrow People organization
7
Visit to Dairy Farming in China Oct-16 Dairy Farming Institution China
4
Online Certification NEBOSH Mar-16 KASCO International 2
Online Certification on Result Measurement using DCED standards
Apr-16 Devlearn, UK 1
Modern Testing Techniques June-16 UVAS 8
Women's Security Awareness Training Sep-16 IOM 4
Executive certification in Agri-business Sep -16 LUMS 1
Table 16: Trainings/Conferences attended year-5
Moreover, Employees’ orientation sessions about policy and code of conduct were organized at the
field operational unit level to promote work place ethics. In addition to that HR Department initiated
the Dairy Project Talent placement plan, the purpose of this plan is to ensure that relieving
employees of dairy project will get facilitation for search of their next jobs. To accomplish this, HR
Department will serve as a facilitator for leaving employees by providing them the list of current jobs
opening relevant to their career path. Through this initiative, HR delivered effective results as can be
seen from the statistics portrayed in table 17 below.
Description Figures
Total Communicated Jobs 250
Total layoffs 145
Placement 65
In Hiring process 36
Own Business 10
Not Pushing Career 25
Further Assistance 37
Table 17: Talent Placement Plan output
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Component Challenges Solution
Artificial Insemination Technician
AITs registration to livestock department was major challenge.
All required documents of AITs are shared with their respective district DLO offices to facilitate their work in the field.
Unavailability of Bovine FRO (Bovine Female Reproductive Organs) for AITs in Bahawalpur
Already discussed with DLO Multan to assist our Bahawalpur team for provision of FRO from Multan slaughter house.
One Month Farm Managers
Availability of farm owner for a month, due to harvesting of crops. Farm owner were interested to send their farm manager or key worker at the trainings.
In such cases, the project asked the farmers send their nominated staff members who work on their farms.
Component Challenges Solution
Farm Upgradation
Un-trained labor at construction site arranged by farm owners.
Team Engineer guided farm labor and staff to work within compliance
Farm up-gradation team was untrained regarding construction
Tags compatible to given appliers are not available in the market near farms.
Market linkage for compatible tags has been provided to farmers along with guidance to know about ear tagging.
One-day farmers trainings
Training centers are not spacious.
Training at the Dera or any other room was allowed to team with complete visit of farm.
Some of farm owners were not showing positive attitude.
The project conducted trainings by setting up classes nearby and used the farms only for demonstration.
Street shows activity along with trainings
Teams were assigned to coordinate for street show activity. Taking attendance and controlling huge community remained a challenge. To ensure complete security, guards were hired for the venue.
Frequent load shedding in field
Generators were used during sessions but due to non-availability of change over at farms/training centers during summer, it remained a problem.
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Selection of farmers was challenging due to their personal engagement in their respective work.
Social mobilization teams did their effort to motivate farmers to participate in training.
Seven-day farmers training Left-over rate owing to harvesting and cotton season.
Farmer were mostly unavailable during this season but strong mobilization was done and committed groups were selected for training including female farmers
Women Livestock Extension Worker
Selection of beneficiaries in the available short time
Male and female mobilizers conducted respective meetings to get trust of community and family.
Un-availability of CNIC and certificates of those candidates who missed these, or have married and moved to other places
Those candidates who don’t have CNIC were not registered for training.
Market linkages to WLEWs Induction meetings/farmer days were conducted to support WLEWs in the community
Minimum education criteria of women
Finding mature and married educated women was a challenge for mobilization and training teams.
Working of WLEWs was affected as livestock department called and forbid some of WLEWs to provide extension services.
Local VAs were stopping the WLEWs from their work. However the Livestock Sectary himself examined the knowledge of the project trained WLEWs and was quiet satisfied. He also offered the WLEWs to provide help at the time of mass vaccination campaigns.
WLEWs are getting maximum profit from vaccination but Government has banned some of the vaccines in medical stores and that’s why not available.
The project linked trained WLEWs with the livestock department so that they can acquire the vacancies from them and run their business smoothly.
Chiller agent of Nestle is also selling Vanda to farmers that is why Vanda business of WLEWs is disturbed.
Project discussed this matter with the Nestle Regional Managers. However no positive action has been taken yet.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The findings in this report are based on training curriculum review, physical inspection of sites and
random visits to classrooms by Safety Health and Environment (SHE) team.
In order to fulfill requirements under Environmental Mitigation Monitoring Plan (EMMP), various
guidelines were developed for safe disposal of the waste generated as result of trainings. Additional
guidelines include health and safety and environment measures to avoid any harm or injury to the
stakeholders and the environment.
A component wise description of environmental compliance is given below.
Seven-day/One-month Farmer Training: Health safety measures like a treatment stall or restraining methods during pregnancy examination,
vaccination, deworming, and artificial insemination etc. were communicated to the farm managers.
Teat sanitization, organoleptic and surf tests were described in detail to check the milk quality so
that milk of the infected animal(s) can be separated. During farmer training sessions, farmers/farm
managers were briefed on how to handle manure. Teat dipping process, bio security, significance of
racking was described to the farmers so that they could avoid the diseases occurring in animals.
Issues prevalent in the Seven-day trainings included:
1. Bio security was not ensured properly at all the training farms.
2. Physical demonstration of different practices like teat dipping, surf test etc. was not
performed in all the sessions.
However, the situation significantly improved in Year-5, ensuring complete environmental
compliance.
One-day Farmer Training: Training curriculum of the One-day training farmer is not detailed and focuses mostly on pictorial
training. Thus, the environmental compliance practices are included into their curricula in pictorial
form.
Issues observed during the Year-5 were:
1. Awareness on several topics relating to safety, health and environment was not provided to
farmers.
2. Lack of proper entry protocols at farms as lime tray was available at training farms but lime
was not refilled on regular intervals.
3. Water troughs were contaminated with Algae.
4. Absence of good housekeeping at training sites.
5. Trainings took place at some farms where best farm practices were not adopted.
However, eventually farm owners were informed about the significance of these practices and the
Dairy Project master trainers explained the environmental aspect of modern farming to the
beneficiaries in detail.
1. Master trainers perform surf test, mastitis prevention test during the training.
2. Environment component of the training module(s) is studied during classes.
3. Sanitation conditions have improved.
4. Water troughs are cleaned in many farms at regular intervals; the SHE team monitors this
cleansing practice.
Silage Making:
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
During the silage making shows, farmers were briefed on environmental considerations and safe
handling of the equipment. Safety measures like dust masks, safety guards and maintenance of the
silage machines were taught to the trainees.
As per the guidelines, only experts were permitted to run silage machines. Safety guards must be in
place at all times when silage machines are in operation. The person operating the silage machine
should wear secure clothing (dangri) and safety boots. Some of the issues which were observed
initially:
1. Safety guard was not used on silage machines.
2. Protective equipment like air masks and safety shoes were not used, and workers were
exposed to chopped fodder
After highlighting these issues to the management, Safety guard usage was observed in all silage
shows.
Farm Upgradation: For the upgraded model farms, a few parameters were established and its compliance was
observed. Site safety clearance, tree cutting, water quality and topography of the site to avoid
ponding at the farms were some of the main parameters of concern.
Major Issues observed at site quiet included:
1. Cutting of trees were observed at sites without providing a remediation plan.
2. Live joints of electrical wires were present in the premises of some sheds. In Year-5, many of these issues have been resolved:
1. Tree plantation took place
2. Ponding was observed at one farm. This ponding could become the breeding place for
mosquitoes but this issue was resolved with special interest of farm team.
3. Electrical wire joints have been insulated in the farm premises.
Environment team conducted several venereal diseases test on sample basis for imported semen to
ensure distribution of quality and disease free semen for artificial insemination. Some of the
diseases for which semen samples were tested are as follows:
1. Brucella spp PCR Detection
2. Foot and Mouth Disease Virus RT- PCR Detection
3. Mycobacterium Tuberculosis PCR Detection
4. Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus RT- PCR Detection
The results of all the test were negative showing that imported semen doses are absolutely disease
free. All the Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs) sites impart training on best practices, and the
lesson plan covers the best artificial insemination practices like proper heat spotting & semen
handling. Other features of this AI training are health safety measures like liquid nitrogen handling,
storage of semen, and semen straw handling.
Apart from this, handling of liquid nitrogen and use of personal protective equipment (safety goggles
& cryogenic gloves) was also communicated to the beneficiaries. Transportation of liquid nitrogen
has been done in a way so that no one sits in the container in which liquid nitrogen cylinders are
transported. This precaution is taken to avoid asphyxia and cold burns; proper storage of liquid
nitrogen has been described to avoid asphyxia.
All AI trainees wear Dangri (overalls), gum boots, face masks and aprons and gloves during practical
training on live animals to minimize the chances of transferring diseases to human beings. Animal
organs are stored in refrigerators until properly disposed to inhibit bacterial growth.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Furthermore, crush was used at the Burj Attari site to control the animals during live artificial
insemination practice/demonstrations to prevent injuries. However, issues relating to the restraining
of the animals at Bahawalpur training site exist.
Generally, sheaths and contaminated polythene gloves were kept covered, but there were instances
where the gloves and sheaths were left exposed in (lid-less) dustbins, consequently spreading
pathogenic bacteria into the environment. Sometimes restraining of animal was not done properly
during practice. At the Bahawalpur site, organs were dumped into a limed pit for their bio-
degradation in a safe manner.
Best basic livestock extension practices and health safety measures like handling of medicines and
syringes were incorporated in the lesson plan.
Further, the project took following measures to ensure the environmental compliance:
Protection of medicines from the sunlight during outdoor sessions by use of kit bag.
Check of expiry date of medicines to ensure proper storage of material and medicines and
avoid use of expired medicines
Recapping needle to avoid the chances of needle prick injuries as well as zoonotic diseases.
Use of needle cutters for immediate disposal of used needles
Use of gloves are used when handling syringes
Hands wash training after conducting surgery of an animal
Dairy Project is working on a large scale biogas project at Bahadurnagr, Okara with the collaboration
of Punjab Livestock Department of Pakistan. Punjab Livestock Department is constructing a slurry
channel in front of this plant with length of more than 600 feet. This system will not only be
beneficial in terms of fertilizer but it will also provide us the environment friendly solution of slurry
disposal. Livestock department is also providing animal dung, water for mixing, electricity connection
etc. for this plant.
The site was barricaded during construction work so that un-wanted people could not come inside
and accidents could also be avoided. All-important warning and danger signs were pasted on the site
during construction work. Lead free paint was used in construction activities as per commitment in
Environmental Documentation Form (EDF). The mud waste produced due to excavation was used to
form a base platform for channel. Drinking water was available for workers during the working
hours. Trainings were organized for contractor staff related to importance of health & safety in
construction phase. The workers were provided Personal Protection Equipment’s (PPE) during
construction work. Ground water testing was done to check the ground water quality for bacterial
contamination parameters and it was found that all the 32 parameters of water were in compliance
with National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS). This testing will be again done in operational
phase of project and if any parameter is found not in compliance with NEQS then this will be an
indicator of leakage and ground water contamination of manure from digester.
Some issues related to safety and environment were observed during the reporting period like
proper placement of safety signs, absence of electricity sockets, land barricading etc. these issues
were discussed with the vendor and finally resolved.
Waste material placed in limed pit
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Hands on health & safety sessions for capacity building of staff were organized. The responsibilities
of employer and employees were discussed as per International Labor Organization (ILO)
conventions, keeping in mind the Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Standards. Safety measures
including safe field movement, Incident and accident reporting system, heat stroke emergency
response method, proper sitting posture, safe use of electrical equipment, chemistry of fire and use
of fire extinguisher were elaborated by physical demonstration.
By and large, the Dairy Project is in compliance with EMMP and has a minimal environmental
adverse impact. However, there were instances where compliance was not observed in its full
capacity. In such cases, necessary directions were given to relevant departments, and mitigation
measures were undertaken to resolve these issues. Overall, the project activities had a positive
environmental impact on the community. Furthermore, biogas plant is also going to be completed,
and the SHE department is determined that it will be operated according to the environment, health
and safety standards.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The first objective of the farm upgradation is to provide an on-the-ground model for small dairy
holders at village level, where they could observe the implementation of best dairy farming
practices. Secondly, since access to the large mega farms for all small dairy farmers in a village is not
possible, the universal training coverage is achieved by upgrading these farms and providing training
access for the village and the surrounding area. Thirdly, these upgraded model farms serve as a
meeting point and input supply hub for project-trained beneficiaries. The project aims to upgrade
100 farms with herd size of 5-30 dairy animals over the project life.
Animal nutrition is an essential part of animal health and milk productivity, and fodder is an
important source of nutrient for these animals. Cost of production of fodder is a major concern for
the farmer. The objective of establishing biogas plants is to shift irrigation tube-wells running on
fuel/electricity to manure biogas units. The slurry produced from these biogas units will also improve
the fertility of the land which is another benefit accrued to the farmer. The project aims to develop
10 biogas plants during its extension phase. Furthermore, Dairy Project has created a concept of best
farm management with the implementation of 3:1:7 strategy, The team has come up with a 3:1:7
strategy, entailing 305 milking days, at least one calf per year and 70 percent lactating animals,
throughout the year. This would be possible if farmers adopt best farm practices with improved and
advanced technology of breeding, feeding and mechanization.
In year-3, Dairy Project has supported in installation of a small scale biogas plant of 50 cubic meter
capacity in district Vehari. This plant was established to support the surrounding community for the
purpose of milk chilling and was operated by community owned member. Dairy project decided to
replicate and construct 10 more biogas plants in the extension phase of the project. However after
collaborating with the Punjab Livestock Department of Pakistan, the project decided to construct
one large capacity biogas plant on government owned farm in Bahadarnagar. The biogas plant will
have a capacity of 375 cubic meter and the biogas/electricity generated by it will be used on the
farm and also the byproduct generated by it will be used as fertilizer.
The primary objective of providing training and support to dairy farmers is to improve prevalent
dairy farming practices for improved livestock productivity and increased incomes of rural
households assisted by the project. The Dairy Project also strives to increase mass awareness to
create a demand for extension services of WLEW and AIT. This will result in better breeds and
increased milk production. Through these trainings, the Dairy Project will achieve its primary goal of
creating incomes and employment opportunities for rural Pakistanis associated with the dairy
sector, resulting in economic growth for the country.
Training Methodology, Curriculum and Follow-up Support: These trainings cover topics such as improved feeding and animal nutrition, basic level animal health
management, feeding, farm equipment management, shed management, and the importance of
improved breeds. One-month advanced trainings for farm managers include separate components
on basic bookkeeping and business skills. Knowledge of the basic business know-how adds to the
skills of farm managers. This is how, all trained farmers will have a better understanding of the milk
value chain and to profitably create linkages within it. The Project has an ambitious plan to train
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
48,600 farmers and 500 farm managers and commercial farmers over a period of five years with the
following specific targets to achieve:
a) One-day training for 37,900 traditional farmers
b) Two-day training for 5,000 traditional farmers
c) Four-day training for 3,700 progressive farmers
d) Seven-day training for 2,000 progressive farmers
e) One month training for 500 commercial farmers and farm managers
Training Methodology and Locations
The Dairy Project started farmers’ trainings at two model trainings and demonstration farms of
Nestle located at Sukheki, Pindi Bhattian, district Hafiz Abad and Renala Khurd, district Okara.
Customized training modules were developed for the training purpose. However, keeping in view
the cost and time factor involved in boarding and lodging of farmers at these model farms, the
project, therefore, decided to arrange two more model farms at Khanewal, Kamalia, and Multan.
Owned by private farmers, these farms are equipped with necessary infrastructure and facilities
suitable for conducting training sessions for farmers, thus reducing transportation costs and
enhancing training effectiveness.
Training Curriculum
Training contents of Two-day farmer training session include introduction to livestock breeds, cross
breeding, feeding of dairy animals, yearly fodder planning, silage and hay making, calf rearing, health
(FMD and HS, Vaccination), internal and external parasite control, Mastitis and its control, artificial
insemination and its importance for breed improvement, milk and farm hygiene, sire selection
criteria, body scoring, Estrus synchronization, heat detection at farm level, shed design, Oxytocin and
dilemma of its frequent use, and , record keeping. Training contents of four days farmer training is
more or less the same with more details.
Dairy Project provided training certificates and initial support kit to all these trained farmers at
completion of the training. The kit includes teat cup, dip solution, drenching syringe, dewormer,
feeding nipple, notepad and bag. In the second quarter of 2012, training contents of One-month
training of dairy farmers and Farm Managers were prepared and submitted for review by University
of Veterinary and Animal Science Lahore. After approval, a training manual for one-month training
was prepared.
Follow-up Support
The team also provided technical support to trained farmers at their farms on need base e.g.in case
of shed designing and other technicalities regarding dairy farming.
Training Methodology, Curriculum and Follow-up Support Poor genetics is a major reason for low productivity per dairy animal. In order to improve the genetic
potential of existing breeds, there is an immense need to introduce the trend of cross breeding
through artificial insemination techniques for better milk production and profitable dairy farming in
Pakistan. The Dairy Project’s AI trainings will significantly empower unemployed youths as
entrepreneurs offering breeding services to dairy farmers, who are in turn acquiring access to better
quality semen supplies ensuring better breeding of animals. The overall aim is to ensure that
through better breeding, farmers are able to increase their milk production and incomes. Income
opportunities for both farmers and AI technicians are being created. The Dairy Project had
committed to train a total of 2,445 individuals as AITs during the project life with 100 individuals
each from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh and 70 from Baluchistan provinces. At the beginning of
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Year-4, there was a change in the livestock policy by the government and the project had to revise
its 1-month AIT training to 6-month.
Training Methodology
Before the new livestock breeding act was announced by the government, Dairy Project offered
five-week training to AITs with additional two-month follow up support provided by the project
team but with the promulgation of new livestock breeding act, Dairy Project changed its training
duration to six months. Trainings include a mix of theory, demonstration, field practical work and
practical exercises related to insemination and the safe handling and maintenance of insemination
guns, liquid nitrogen cylinders for transporting semen, and other AI supplies and equipment.
Classroom trainings take place at AITs Centers (established by the Dairy Project) and the
Government of Punjab’s Vocational Training Institutes (PVTC). Potential candidates are selected
through a rigorous procedure and sent to AIT training centers in Burj Attari and Bahawalpur where
they are provided with major training facilities, accommodation, transportation, and refreshment.
For field training, trainees are deputed on various dairy farms for three months. They assist
veterinarian/senior AIT in treating bovine reproductive problems; carry out heat detection and
pregnancy diagnosis tests. In addition, they also help in semen selection, bull selection and calving
ease. The project provides each AIT with initial support kit upon successful completion of training
(containing Nitrogen Cylinders, Semen doses, and basic AI related equipment) and a motorbike
(after AIT fulfills performance criteria-See heading below titled “Motorbike distribution”).
Training Curriculum
Training comprises of a mix of theory, practical exercises and field training related to artificial
insemination and the safe handling and maintenance of the equipment. The theory contains
knowledge about the history of AI along with its advantages and disadvantages, anatomy and
functions of female reproductive system, estrus cycle, heat detection, artificial insemination,
fertilization, factors affecting the conception rate, methods of pregnancy diagnosis, tagging and
recoding of animals. The theory is applied in the practical portion done at animal farms, slaughter
houses and open animal markets. For the practical component, slaughter house training in
particular, includes the post slaughter examination of reproductive organs. Dairy Project’s AI team at
Burj Attari has also made a dummy cow for AI training. A steel frame was made by master trainers
for the practice of students on the pelvic bone. Besides training in AI techniques, the project realizes
the need to teach the trained AITs in basic bookkeeping and business skills which will aide them in
becoming successful businessmen. The Dairy Project also helps them build linkages with input
suppliers and other trustworthy vendors playing the role of middleman. Two-day road safety training
by Atlas Honda motors is also a part of AIT training.
Follow up and Support Services
Upon successful completion of the training course, these AITs are provided with follow-up assistance
to establish themselves as small scale entrepreneurs. A certification and graduation ceremony is
held for each batch of these AITs wherein all participants are provided with a support kit to jump-
start their businesses and hence improve their incomes. The distribution of kits plays a vital
supportive role in launching the careers of ordinary and unemployed individuals as professionally
trained AITs. The kit includes essential equipment such as AI cylinder, liquid nitrogen cylinders,
insemination guns, semen straws, fifty semen doses, gum boots/sleeves and an AIT record register.
Dairy Project’s follow-up teams conduct follow-up meetings regularly. Meetings with a batch are
conducted on weekly basis in the first month of completion of the training. After first month,
frequency of such meeting changes into monthly basis and weekly meetings are now conducted
with the latest batch of AITs. The purpose of these meetings is to resolve issues of AITs improve
their technical skills and help them strengthen their market linkages. The issues related to supply of
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
quality semen to AITs are also discussed and resolved in the follow up meetings. During the
induction meetings, AITs are also formally introduced to communities to market their Artificial
Insemination services for breed improvement.
Motorbike Distribution To further facilitate these AITs, the Dairy Project also awards motorbikes to high achieving AITs
showing excellent performance based on certain criteria. Initially, the project awarded bikes free of
cost to these AITs, but in phase-2 of the project it was decided to distribute the bike on 50% cost
sharing basis. The set criteria to measure the performance of AITs is as below:
a) Number of Inseminations: Minimum 30 inseminations are required in the first 90 days after
completion of the training, which has been revised to minimum60 inseminations required in 90 days,
starting after 15 days of receiving of kit.
b) Conception Rate: Minimum conception rate of 40 percent is required. For checking this, a
palpation test is conducted on five randomly selected animals which have been inseminated 60 days
before by the trained AIT. Three animals must be pregnant as per the criteria.
Whereas, all AITs undergoing six months training will be given motorbikes on 50% cost sharing basis
upon successful completion of the training along with initial kits and certificate.
Training methodology, curriculum and follow up support In Pakistan, more than 80 percent of rural women are involved in livestock management primarily in
the field of feeding, watering, milking and medication. The females involved in livestock farming are
poorly educated but they have the potential to learn and establish themselves as entrepreneurs and
generate income. Due to lack of guidance, training, and access to markets and poor resources, they
are unable to learn and adopt such income-generating activities by their own. Dairy project, through
its training program for Women Livestock Extension Workers (WLEWs), is filling the void in Pakistan’s
dairy sector.
The Dairy Project will train 6,000 WLEWs by offering them one-month long training course. Also in
the last two years of the project, the project aims to provide 1,000 trained WLEWs with
refresher/advance courses. The curriculum for this training is updated in collaboration with the
UVAS, Lahore. The training contents include basic animal health management, basic preventive
animal health measure, identification of the most common diseases, immunization and basic
treatment, animal nutrition and hygiene, and water management. Extension Worker trainings are
conducted in village clusters (A cluster comprises of 10-13 villages), so that women can easily attend
the training arranged adjacent to their homes. A training camp is also set up on temporary basis at
each site. The program arranges for transport to and from the site as well. The master trainers are
women veterinary graduates. The extension workers are also trained in feed supply and milk
collection to give them the expertise to further grow their businesses. WLEWs are also being given
bookkeeping and business training as well as linkages to service (including financial) and input
suppliers along the dairy value chain. Upon completion of the course, WLEWs selected for animal
nursing are given a veterinary kit, while WLEWs doing other livestock businesses are supported by a
stock of animal feed. The program also provides workers with basic mobile phones to enable easy
communication with the medicine and feed suppliers. The project has experienced a considerable
increase in the demand for of livestock extension services provided by WLEWs to the farming
community at their doorstep for improving livestock productivity and enhancing incomes of rural
families. This is providing project trained WLEWs with income boosts and better livelihoods.
Consequently, this ensures increased milk production and incomes in the dairy sector.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Training Curriculum of WLEWs
The training duration of the course is spread over one month period. All WLEWs, at the end of this
one-month training, are tested through written as well as viva tests by academic staff of UVAS. The
topics of WLEW training course consists of basics in animal health management, preventive animal
health measure, identification of the most common diseases, immunization and treatment, animal
nutrition and hygiene and livestock management. These extension workers are also provided
trainings in feed supply and milk collection to give them additional knowledge in business
management for their growth as entrepreneurs. Training modules include restraining, health,
disease, parasites, infectious diseases of cattle and buffalo, infectious diseases of sheep and goat,
non-infectious diseases, reproduction techniques, vaccination, calf care, milk, dairy farming, sheep &
goat farming, poultry, medicines. Practical performance includes restraining, S/C and I/M injections,
fat percentage and specific gravity of milk, deworming, bolus making, external parasite treatment,
bandage, mastitis management. Also, WLEWs are equipped with basic bookkeeping expertise as well
as facilitating their linkages with financial services and input suppliers along the dairy value chain.
WLEW refresher/advanced training cover topics on animal health, diseases, stomach powder
preparation, saline electuary, urea molasses block, marketing methodologies and environment.
Besides providing training as WLEWs, master trainers also conduct farmer help camps amidst the
training sessions in their respective villages to reinforce their technical skills and boost their morale
and confidence with regards to dealings with the surrounding community. Normally, the cases dealt
at such training camps are related to deworming, diarrhea, mineral deficiency and ingestion etc. In
the next stage, trained WLEWs visit dairy farms established as training centers where they are
provided knowledge about silage making, animal care, shed design, milk test, and so on. Dairy
Project also arranged visits of WLEWs to the civil veterinary hospitals to link them with the
veterinary officers and assistants. It is expected that such visits will strengthen market linkages of
WLEWs which will prove to be fruitful in future. After successfully completing the training course,
WLEWs are formally inducted in their respective villages through an induction meeting where
master trainers formally inform the community about the technical skills, WLEWs have gained during
certified training and the type of services that they are capable of providing to the farmers.
Follow up and Support Services provided by Dairy Project
Each qualified WLEW is awarded with a support kit consisting basic veterinary medicines and
concentrated feed. Initially, the WLEWs are provided with follow up support twice in first month
after training, followed by this, this meeting is conducted on monthly basis in which master trainers
support them to resolve their issues and to strengthen market linkages for their smooth working.
In the case of WLEW refresher/advanced training, follow up team will visit trainees in the first
quarter after training and after that quarterly meetings will be conducted.
Market Linkages and Support Services to Farmers, WLEWs, and AITs
Follow up teams have taken various initiatives to develop the linkages between beneficiaries and the
stakeholders like Khushhali bank, Zaria Taraqiati Bank, BARC Foundation, Kashif Foundation, NRSP,
Akhuwat Foundation, Chenab Foundation, Pakistan Domestic Bio Gas Program (PDBP), Engro, Nestle’
Pakistan, Haleeb and government livestock departments.
Dairy Point is one of the positive initiatives of Dairy Project. Dairy Point is a center where at least
three different types of beneficiaries will provide their services to allied villages on larger scale with
the help of different marketing companies. Its purpose is to provide a sustainable link to WLEWs and
AITs so that they can purchase products (Vanda and medicine, semen doses, liquid nitrogen gas) at
right price and places with great convenience. WLEW and AIT will play major roles in running
modern dairy points. Four dairy points in Vehari, 15 in Multan and 7 in Hasil Pur have been
established and working successfully in their related areas.
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Further, Farmer Days have been arranged by the project to ensure sustainability of WLEWs can
easily reach out the stakeholders for improved market linkages.
Support to Project Beneficiaries by Follow up Teams:
The Dairy Project teams have provided follow up support to project beneficiaries through weekly
meetings, bi weekly meeting, monthly meetings, individual follow up at door step, inter-beneficiaries
meetings, Farmer Help Camps and cluster formation. WLEWs were grouped in clusters, comprising
of 20-25 WLEWs (in 10-13 villages) with an elected cluster head. By cluster formation, WLEWs place
order in bulk through cluster head. The cluster strategy is being extended to incorporate project -
farmers and AITs into the clusters. It strengthens beneficiary’s linkages, increases their negotiation
power to deal with suppliers and provide easy access to suppliers. A total of 144 clusters were
established in Multan, Vehari and Kamalia zones.
Furthermore, cluster heads were employed by medicines and Vanda supplier companies on salary
and commission basis. About 15 cluster heads from Multan zone have been employed by medicine
company (Trust Pharma). Organon feed company distributed their discount cards with the help of
follow up teams in Kamalia. These cards ensure a handsome profit margin for WLEWs. Nestle
addressed aflatoxin issue and also shared facility of Nestle one stop shop with WLEWs through
which WLEWs provided services to dairy farmers. Follow-up team established a pilot initiative of
monthly saving system (known as “committee system” in Pakistan) to encourage savings and
promote inter-beneficiary linkages in some clusters, About 12 clusters in Vehari and 6 in Kamalia
have adopted the committee system up till now.
Also, a help line service system is established in zones through which beneficiaries can easily contact
with Dairy Project team to resolve their concerns Team resolved the concerns and supported them
in their concerned product supply.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
The primary objective of the evaluation activity conducted in March-April 2016 was to get a reliable
indicator of the project’s performance in three components vis-à-vis farmer, AIT and WLEWs
trainings. Given logistical and financial constraints, it was not possible to cover all districts from
where the Dairy Project has trained beneficiaries. To maintain the quality of the assessment, keeping
in view the constraints Monitoring & Evaluation department (M&E) faced, M&E ensured the best
sampling strategy was adopted. For this survey, M&E decided to include the beneficiaries trained in
Phase 1 of the project along with the beneficiaries trained in Phase 2. However, considering the
spread of beneficiaries in Phase 1, not all of the beneficiaries could be considered in the population
for sampling.
For sampling purposes, the districts of beneficiaries trained in Phase 2 were selected first. Since the
project performance is evaluated component wise, and M&E indicators are also set accordingly, the
M&E team adopts a stratified sampling technique where the beneficiaries are first stratified into
their corresponding components and then randomly sampled. It is important to note that only
beneficiaries trained till December 2015 were considered for sampling since it takes at least 3
months for beneficiaries to set up their business or adopt best practices. Therefore, the beneficiaries
trained after December 2015 were excluded from the sampling to ensure that an accurate impact
can be determined. The selection criteria for the districts and beneficiaries are given below.
One-day and seven-day farmers: More than 95% of the farmers trained in one-day and 7-day farmer training sessions came from
five districts, namely Vehari, Lodhran, Khanewal, Multan and Bahawalpur. Due to logistical and
financial constraints, the sampling was kept limited to these five districts. Nonetheless, the sample
from these districts was a good representative of the total farmers trained. A total of 26,049 one-day
and 1,341 seven-day farmers were trained as of December 2015, excluding the school trainings.
WLEW (New/Refresher) In Phase 2 of the project, the Dairy Project’s main geographical areas of intervention for WLEW
training program were in districts Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Vehari, Khanewal, Multan, Bahawalnagar
and Pakpattan. All of the beneficiaries trained in Phase 2 were considered in the sampling
population. In Bahawalpur zone, the newly trained beneficiaries in Phase 2 were also given
refresher courses. Hence, to avoid double counting and sampling, these WLEWs will only be
considered in refresher training and not in the regular training. A total of 655 WLEWs were trained
out of which 51 were also given refresher training (excluded from new WLEWs) and 723 old WLEWs
(i.e. trained during Phase 1) were given refresher/advance training till December 2015.
AITs AITs trained by the project are not limited to the regional coverage of the zonal field office. In Phase
2, the project has trained AITs from districts Jhang, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur,
Lodhran and Vehari. For sampling purpose, all of the beneficiaries were considered and since the
spread of the sample was geographically wide, a separate team was assigned to collect data from
beneficiaries sampled from Jhang, Faisalabad and Chiniot region. A total of 198 AITs were trained
till December 2015.
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Phase 1 The M&E selected districts Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Jhang, Khanewal,
Lodhran, Multan, Pakpattan and Vehari for the population of sampling of Phase 2. The evaluation
for the Phase 1 beneficiaries was limited to these districts and the result generalized only on these
district beneficiaries. The beneficiaries trained in Phase-1 of the project from these districts are
accounted for 68 percent of the total trained. For farmers, one-month trained beneficiaries were
not considered in the evaluation while as far as AITs are concerned, CDF, FMT and volunteers were
not considered in the sampling population.
The beneficiaries were stratified into five categories namely one-day farmers, two/four/seven-day
farmers, WLEWs, WLEW refresher trainees and AITs. Sample size for each type of beneficiary, except
for WLEW refresher, was computed using MACORR sample size calculator
(http://www.macorr.com/sample-size-calculator.htm). Confidence Level of 90% and confidence
interval of 5% was kept for computation. In case of WLEW refresher subjective sampling technique
was used and 10% of the WLEWs given refresher were randomly selected. The following table shows
the population size and the corresponding sample size which was computed using the calculator.
Table 18: Sampling population and Sample sizes
Farmers WLEWs AITs Total
One-Day
Two/four/seven-Day
Refresher Regular
Total Population
26,049 6,965 723 4,835 1051 39,623
10% subjective
72 1,077
90% & 5% 269 262 258 216
First the population was stratified and the corresponding categories to the option were constructed
for sampling. In case of farmers from Phase 1, no baseline data was available. Hence, to minimize
the recall error, the beneficiaries who were interviewed before in the previous surveys were only
randomly picked. This did not cause any selection bias as in the previous surveys these beneficiaries
were also randomly picked. However, to keep the sampled population representative of the two-
day, four-day and seven-day category, a random sample of 262 beneficiaries was selected from the
total population of the mentioned category, and the distribution among the three types of
beneficiaries was noted. Then the same distribution number was picked randomly from the seven-
day farmer population and the two-day and four-day farmers who were already interviewed. For
one-day farmers, AITs and WLEWs the sampling was straight forward. The beneficiaries were
randomly picked from the population available for sampling according to the sample size computed.
For randomly sampling, STATA was used to randomly pick the beneficiaries for survey.
Survey tools are designed in accordance with the project’s key outcome indicators illustrated in
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Activity Plan. Keeping in view the experiences from the past
quarterly surveys, survey tools are refined and necessary questions are added to gather more
insights into the impacts of trainings provided by the Dairy Project. Enumerators’ training is an
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
essential part of quality data fetching. A complete training session was organized in Vehari and
Bahawalpur for all the enumerators conducting the survey. Enumerators were introduced to the
probing methods and all research instruments were briefed one by one. After complete orientation
on probing techniques and survey instruments, mock sessions were held which were observed and
later on, trainers provided their feedback on mock sessions one by one.
After the finalization of the questionnaire and providing required briefing to the enumerators, a pilot
survey was carried out in both the regions. This not only refined the tool even further, but also
helped the enumerators to acquire first-hand experience. After successful pilot testing and planning,
the survey was carried out in Vehari and Bahawalpur.
To ensure the quality of data, the Monitoring & Evaluation department (M&E) implements a
comprehensive monitoring plan with the help of M&E zonal staff. M&E officers make random checks
on the interview sessions carried out by the enumerators to ensure accuracy of the data collected.
Complete data flow procedures are documented with all the data quality and verification checks
explicitly mentioned. After receiving the questionnaires from the enumerators and before entering it
to the database, the data is verified by Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to ensure the quality and
accuracy of data. Even though the data is received after rigorous checking, the analyst further cleans
it and checks for errors and outliers to have a refined data set for analysis. Initially, the data is
analyzed by generating explanatory graphs and doing cross tabulations, to get a better
understanding of the facts and figures provided in the data. Afterwards, important ratios and
percentages are computed against the performance indicators to calculate project’s success rate in
comparison to the targets.
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Sr # Date Event Location Media / Press
Remarks
1. October 02, 2015
Dairy Project Portal Volume III, Issue 2 (Newsletter) And Dairy Projects’ Corporate documentary Revision dissemination
N/a N/a Communications Team disseminated its newsletter, Dairy Project Portal (Volume III, Issue 2), and the Corporate Documentary on a wide scale. In this respect, 413 copies of the newsletter and 52 DVDs were distributed among public and private stakeholders and key project staff, reaching out to 42 organizations.
2. October 07, 2015
Nestlé Corporate Affairs Department visited the USAID – DRDF Dairy Project.
Lahore N/a The objective of the visit was to provide updates on the Dairy Project’s activities to the delegation.
3. Dec 2015 –Jan 2016
Street Shows/Mobile Float activity
Multan, Vehari, Bahawalpur and the surrounding suburbs
N/a Based on the successful roll-out of the first round, second round of Street Shows with Mobile Float was carried out. 31 shows were conducted with a turnout of more than 14,000 rural men and women.
4. December 2015
Diary and Calendar 2016
N/a N/a Designed, developed and disbursed Dairy Project’s diary and table calendar 2016 among Dairy Project staff and stakeholders
5. December 04, 2015
Certificate Distribution ceremony for Farm Managers
Faletti’s Hotel, Lahore.
N/a The purpose of the event was to congratulate farm managers on the completion of the one-month course, as well as to motivate them to continue contributing to the development of Pakistan’s dairy and livestock sector.
6. January 28, 2016
Valuing Lives through Dairy Development
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore
Press Release-USAID distributes motor bikes to
Its purpose was to showcase USAID-DRDF Dairy Project and its commitment in terms of sustainable dairy development, economic profitability, and social and
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Dairy Sector Technicians
economic equity for the dairy farming community. It provided public – private stakeholders and guests with an opportunity to interact with the project beneficiaries, visit their stalls and model sheds, attend the cattle breed exhibit, and examine the mobile float used for mass awareness activities.
7. January 28, 2016.
Newspaper Supplement Published
Newspapers: Jang Lahore and Multan editions
N/a The supplement gave the project an opportunity to publicize USAID – DRDF Dairy Project’s interventions, achievements and impact on the dairy sector with an estimated reach out of 215,000.
8. January 27, 2016 January 30, 2016
UVAS Job Fair LUMS internship fair
N/a N/a Dairy Project’s stalls attracted over a total of 250 students who showed a keen interest in joining our growing team.
9. February 24, 2016
FMD Round table discussion
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore.
N/a Dairy Project in collaboration with L&DD, UVAS Lahore, and USAID PEEP Project organized a round-table discussion on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD. at UVAS, Lahore.
10. February 25, 2016
Nestle Delegates visits Dairy Project
Lahore N/a A delegation from Nestlé comprising of Mr. Robert Erhard, Agricultural Material Specialist, and Dr. Sobia Naheed, Manager Dairy Policy and Development, visited the Dairy Project. The Project Management gave an overview of the project’s interventions, achievements, impact and the way forward.
11. February 2016
Dairy Project Portal (Volume IV, Issue 1)
N/a N/a 430 copies of the newsletter were distributed among public and private stakeholders and key project staff, reaching out to 43 organizations.
12. February 28, March 06, 2016
Newspaper articles
N/a N/a The first article focused on farm upgradation and the 3:1:7 strategy, while the
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
second article highlighted the role of the Dairy Project in promoting gender empowerment in rural communities, and coincided with the International Women’s Day.
13. March -April, 2016
Street show/Mobile Float activity – Third Round
Vehari, Bahawalpur, Chechawatni, Khanewal, Multan
N/a shows raised awareness about the DRDF Semen Subsidy Campaign which seeks to promote subsidized supply of semen to Artificial Insemination Technicians
14. April 5th and 6th, 2016
Dawn Pakistan Food & Agri Expo 2016
Expo Centre Lahore
N/a The project showcased its four-year achievements to a large audience, with more than 400 persons visiting the project stall.
15. May 11, 2016
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited the Dairy Project
PMU Lahore, Field visit to Vehari and Bahawalpur
N/a The representatives were also invited to join the Dairy Project team in the field, so that they could witness the interventions first-hand and interact with the beneficiaries.
16. July 27th, 2016
bulk SMS campaign
N/a N/a The campaign was successfully rolled-out reaching out project beneficiaries including 2365 AITs, 37,940 Farmers, and 6,544 WLEWs.
17. July 2016 Dairy Project Portal Volume IV, Issue 2 (Newsletter)
N/a N/a Over 400 copies of the newsletter were distributed, among public and private stakeholders reaching out to around 44 organizations.
18 July 31, 2016
Work shop at USAID’s Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) Project
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
N/a The objective of the workshop was to share Dairy Project’s successful interventions, best practices, lessons learnt and explore further opportunities to sustain the milestones achieved so far
19. September 29, 2016
Dairy Project branded Rack placement
University of Veterinary and animal sciences Lahore.
N/a The Dairy Project placed its first branded rack at University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore. The ribbon cutting was done by Jack Moser, Chief of Party Dairy Project and Prof. Dr. Talat Pasha, Vice Chancellor UVAS.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Title Component Media Type Release Date Language
Mugs, keychains, Table Decorators and USBs
Dairy Project Branding Material
October 2015 English/Urdu
Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) Pre-Qualification
Mass awareness
Advertisement October 30 , 2015
English
Business and Employee cards Dairy Project’s PMU and Field Staff
Cards October 21, 2015
English
File Folders Dairy Project Branding Material
November 25, 2015
Urdu/English
Writing Pads Dairy Project Stationary November 18, 2015
English
AIT Handbills AIT Brochure November 10, 2015
Urdu
keychains, mugs, coasters, table decorators, pen holders
Dairy Project Branding Material
November 2015
English
One Day Dairy Guide Farmer Module November 11, 2015
Urdu
AIT sign boards AIT Board December 12, 2015
Urdu
Request for technical and financial for bio gas unit
Mass awareness
Advertisement December 29, 2015
Urdu
One Day Farmer Certificate Farmer Certificate December 29,2015
English
Backdrop, Standees and Table cards for Farm Managers (Graduation Ceremony)
Dairy Project Branding Material
December 2015
English
Writing Pad Dairy Project Stationary January 08, 2015
English
AIT - Practical Theory
AIT Module
January 20, 2016 January 24, 2016
Urdu
Seven Day Farm Certificate Farmer Certificate January 25, 2016
English
Employee Cards Dairy Project’s PMU and Field Staff
Cards January 21, 2016
English
WLEW handbills WLEW Handbill February 26, 2016
Urdu
Flexes (FMD Round Table conference)
Dairy Project Branding Material
February 24, 2016
English
Token books (Semen Subsidy campaign)
Dairy Project Token Books February 19, 2016
Urdu
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Project Frames Dairy Project Stationary March 03, 2016
N/A
Brochure (Semen Subsidy campaign)
AIT Brochure March 10, 2016
Urdu
WLEW Record Register WLEW Register March 29, 2016
Urdu
Dairy Project Factsheet Mass awareness
Factsheet March 30, 2016
English
Request for EOIs-Technical and Financial Proposals
Mass awareness
Advertisement May 06, 2016 English
Card Holders Dairy Project Branding Material
May 05, 2016 English
Mugs Dairy Project Branding Material
May 27, 2016 English
Mugs, file folders and USBs Dairy Project Branding Material
May 2016 English
Caps Dairy Project Branding Material
June 08, 2016 English
Request for technical and finical proposal – Audit firms
Mass Awareness
Advertisement June 10, 2016 June 14, 2016
English
Bags,Branded Mugs, Keychains, , caps, Penholders
Dairy Project Branding Material
June 2016 English
Farmer Dairy Guide: One-Day , Two- Day, Four-Days, Seven-Day, One-Month Farmer Dairy Guide
Farmer Module July 03, 2016 Urdu
AIT (Practical and Theory Books)
AIT Module July 03, 2016 Urdu
WLEW New training (17 Booklets)
WLEW Module July 03, 2016 Urdu
Newsletters Vol 4, Issue 2 Mass awareness
Newsletter July 2016 English
Cow souvenirs Dairy Project Shield July 2016 English
Shields Dairy Project Shield July 2016 English
WLEW Sign Board WLEW Marketing Board
August 2016 English
WLEW Flex Streamers WLEW Flexes August 2016 English
WLEW Record Register WLEW Register August 2016 Urdu
WLEW Handbills WLEW Handbill August 2016 Urdu
A.I.T Record Register AIT Register August 2016 Urdu
A.I.T Handbills AIT Handbill August 2016 Urdu
Farm Board Farm Upgradation
Board August 2016 Urdu
One Day Farmer Certificate Farmer Certificate August 2016 English
Racks Branding Dairy Project Branding August 2016 English
WLEW Certificates WLEW Certificate August 2016 English
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Request for technical and financial proposal – Advertising agencies/Firms
Mass awareness
Advertisement August 2016 English
Reports Mass awareness
Reports September 2016
English
Dairy Project Branded Rack Mass Awareness
Branding Material
September 2016
English, Urdu
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
FARMERS AITS WLEWS
1-DAY 7-DAY 1-MONTH WLEWS REFRESHER
October-15 2,324 85 - - 17 85
November-15 2,593 122 - 43 47 72
December-15 1,480 129 26 19 49 76
January-16 1,436 91 - 4 19 24
February-16 789 93 - 70 53 47
March-16 1,631 89 - - 42 45
April-16 1,697 65 - 79 70 39
May-16 1,873 79 - - 57 94
June-16 1,498 119 - - 22 28
July-16 622 63 - 68 62 -
August-16 812 68 - - 40 21
September-16 450 20 - 38 - -
Grand Total 17,205 1,023 26 321 478 531
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
ANNEX 6: Success Stories
Mastering New Skills
“Working as a laborer in a medical store earning PKR
6,000/month was very challenging to fulfil needs of my house. I
was worrying to live up to my basic desires but then one day I
had a chance to come across the Dairy and Rural Development
Foundation’s advert in a newspaper,” says Irfan Bashir
belonging to Chak No.11 SP Kalay Shah, Tehsil and District
Pakpattan.
Irfan’s previous job as a medical store boy meant living to hands and mouth. There was no other source of income to meet his requirements.
Luckily, he came across a new exciting opportunity that changed his life and opened new doors for him. “I quickly expressed my interest to acquire training and later flinched my own business,” says Irfan. Shortly after passing the test, interview and the entire selection process, he left for a six-months long training in Burj Attari training center in Sheikhupura, near Lahore.
During the training, he learnt various advance techniques
including theoretical and practical knowledge about A.I.
According to Irfan he got skills on palpation on reproductive
organs, vulva opening, rod passing, gun loading, thawing
procedure etc. “Also, I learnt the full process of inseminating an
animal and also conducting pregnancy tests. Besides this I also
learnt about calf rearing, feeding and management of dairy
animals”, says Irfan.
After completion of training, Irfan conducted 210 insemination cases around his district with a conception rate of 65 percent. He earns PKR 6,000 per month from pregnancy tests, and approximately PKR 18,000 from insemination cases. “It is a challenge for me to convince the farmer to purchase imported semen, and I usually explain that better-quality semen will lead to better breeding and milk production, and thus more income for the farmer,” shared Irfan. He also facilitates farmers to choose vanda for their animals and farm management techniques to increase their dairy farm output.
Irfan’s monthly income is PKR 18,036 on an average with 210 insemination cases. “I spent my profit to purchase new semen doses so to extend my services and also on better health facilities of my wife and newly born child,” shared Irfan.
A medical store boy’s journey to acquire advanced skill set and become a self- employed Artificial Insemination Technician
(AIT).
“I plan to extend my extension services to other villages for better breeds and timely extensions services at the door step of farmers,” -Irfan Bashir, Dairy Project trained AIT from Pakpattan
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Improving Breeds through AI Services
35 years old, Tahir Maqsood is an Artificial Insemination Technician living in a small village 84e.b Tehsil Arifwala in District Pakpattan—one of the most populous districts in the Punjab province. Prior to his AI training, Tahir worked as a laborer in his village and barely earned enough to take care of his family’s needs. In order to make ends meet, Tahir needed an alternate steady source of income.
In 2015, Tahir learnt about USAID’s Dairy Project by word of mouth. He contacted the Project’s mobilization team for more information about the initiative, and subsequently submitted an application. After passing the test and interview successfully, he was enrolled in the AI training program.
The Dairy Project seeks to improve the productivity and livelihoods of rural communities through capacity building, breed improvement, and provision of quality and timely extension services in livestock and dairy development. The AI component of the Dairy Project seeks to create income opportunities for the educated youth, and increase milk production for dairy farmers through better breeding and access to insemination services.
The AI training provided Tahir with basic skills required to inseminate cows, and safely handle semen, liquid nitrogen cylinders and other equipment.
Since then, Tahir has inseminated about 123 animals out of which 89 animals became pregnant, achieving a conception rate of 70%. He earns about PKR 6,500/month from pregnancy test, and about PKR 16,800/month from artificial insemination. The additional income allows Tahir to spend on his children’s health and education, and improve his family’s standard of living. Since timely insemination services were not available in nearby villages, his own village community is appreciative of AI services available within close proximity.
“Due to the Artificial Insemination services I provide, I am able to afford better health and education facilities for my family. My children and younger brothers can go to school without worrying about school fees and related expenses,” says Tahir.
Tahir’s journey does not end here. He plans to advance his technical expertise through enrollment in additional training courses and has expressed a clear commitment towards building a career towards provision of quality semen and better services to a growing pool of dairy farmer clients in his own community and nearby villages.
The Dairy Project pursues to create better livelihoods for the rural educated youth, and increase milk production for dairy farmers through better breeding and access to insemination services.
“Due to the Artificial Insemination services I provide, I am able to afford better health and education facilities for my family. My children and younger brothers can go to school without worrying about school fees and related expenses. Thank you USAID’s Dairy Project!”
-Tahir Maqsood, Artificial Insemination Technician, 84 E.B.. Tehsil Arifwala and Distt.Pakpattan.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Learning Best Dairy Farm Practices
Being a traditional dairy farmer, Mudassar was not able to achieve efficient production of his dairy animals. The income generated was barely enough to support his family. It was until he was introduced to the Dairy Project’s modern dairy farming training, a seven day farmer training that helped him understand and adopt best dairy farming practices.
During the training, Mudassar learnt the difference between traditional and modern dairy farming, importance of animal shed, proper feeding, selection of best breeds, usage of preventive medicines, farm management, deworming, free access to water etc. The training helped him increase his number of dairy animals from 30, to 45. This has resulted an increase in his average milk yield to 122 liters per day to 152 liters per day.
“My improved understanding of dairy farming practices and animal management has made me aware of best practices and my community appreciates me. Now I can run my dairy farming business according to the modern dairy practices.” says Mudassar.
“I wish that USAID’s Dairy Project continues its dairy farmer trainings, in order to make a transition at the farm-level from traditional to modern dairy farming. As a result of this initiative, farmers are experiencing a shift in their dairy farming incomes”, he added.
This training has not only helped Mudassar scale up his dairy farming business but has also resulted in the sustainable development at the community level. This income has acquainted his family with access to better health care facilities and he is proudly supporting the education of his children.
The project has trained over 48,000 dairy farmers, 78 per cent of whom have adopted at least three best farming practices leading to 17 per cent increase in the average milk yield. These trainings are helping rural dairy farmers generate higher incomes, resulting in dairy and livestock sector development and ultimate economic growth for the country.
USAID-DRDF Dairy Project trains traditional dairy farmers and provides modern insight towards dairy farming
and management
“My improved understanding of dairy farming practices and animal management has made me aware of best practices and my community appreciates me. Now I can run my dairy farming business according to the modern dairy practices. My dream would not have been fulfilled, without USAID-DRDF Dairy Project.” -Mudassar Hassan 73/10R,Tehsil and District Khanewal
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Farm Upgradation Brings Dairy
Development
Existence as an agricultural man is a tough trade to fulfill your necessities in life. “Thank you USAID for giving me the opportunity to upgrade my dairy farm,” says Javed Iqbal an upgraded farm owner of a village Jungle Burali Tehsil and District Vehari.
Javed came across a newspaper advertisement about USAID’s work in dairy and livestock sector and later took remaining details from Dairy Project’s representative that was supervising under constructed farm in 18/WB (Farmer, Ghulam Abbas) District Vehari. Before the upgradation of farm, Javed mostly invested his time and money in agriculture and cash crop and part-time work with the conventional dairy farm. He was earning about 30,000/- PKR and minimal amount from the farm.
“Prior to enrollment in the USAID-funded Dairy Project’s upgraded farm program, my dairy business earnings were very low. My perspective towards the animals and their care was very nonchalant and substandard, now that I look back,” he says. Javed Iqbal would usually keep his animals in a traditional way, and take dairy farming as a part time and not giving much time. Due to this he never found it as a profitable business.
Community acknowledges the dairy shed construction because of modern approach for cow comfort. Community takes my farm as a role model for guidance regarding cow comfort. One farm has been constructed in my area following the example of my farm construction and shed map. The project provides an opportunity to upgrade farms, trainings and support kits to dairy farmers to foster sustainable increase in dairy and livestock productivity through adoption of best dairy farming practices. As of October 2016, the project has upgraded 118 dairy local farms in the areas of South Punjab.
“I provide technical services like, shed construction, vaccination and deworming schedule, breed improvement, biosecurity measures etc. by their implementation on my own farm,”says Javed.
Being an owner of the upgraded farm, I now earn a profit PKR 150,000/month and my animal’s milk yield has gone up to 40 liters per day. Javed Iqbal has departed from an agriculture man to dairy businessman, who was barely able to make ends meet, to one with a secure future made possible with assistance and guidance from USAID and DRDF.
In the future, he plans to further increase his animal herd and targets to produce 250 liters of milk, up to one year. He aims to have a proper yearly fodder plan through the silage making technique introduced by the project.
USAID-DRDF Dairy Project Farm Upgradation initiative develops community through adoption of modern dairy practices
“I provide technical services like, shed construction, vaccination and deworming schedule, breed improvement, biosecurity measures etc. by their implementation on my own farm. One farm in my area replicated my farm as a model upgraded farm. Thank you USAID for giving me this opportunity and developing my community!”
-Javed Iqbal 73/10R, Jungle Burali Tehsil and District Vehari.
USAID-DRDF DAIRY PROJECT
Annual Progress Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Rural Woman Takes Charge
Shakila Hanifa belongs to Tehsil Mailsi, District Vehari, where she lives with her husband. She had an opportunity to hear about USAID-DRDF Dairy Project through a community meeting, and thereafter she was selected as a trainee for the Women Livestock Extension Worker (WLEW) training course
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Dairy and Rural Development Foundation (DRDF) through their Dairy Project are providing trainings to women from Punjab’s rural communities to become livestock extension workers. The Dairy Project provides a basic one month long course, and the curriculum and graduation certificates are provided in joint collaboration with the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS).
“During the training, I learnt various new techniques, animal nutrition and feeding, and free access to water for animals. Now I provide low coast services to farmers at their doorstep,” she explains.
In addition, Dairy Project has given Shakila a cellular phone, so she can liaise with her clients. With the profit she earned, she has supported construction of her home. She has earned a profit of PKR. 4,658 on an average, in the past three months.
Thereafter, she also took the refresher course and it was a good reminder to all the techniques and practices. She further encouraged her community women to be part of this training.
“The USAID Dairy Project has not just made me an independent woman; it has changed community’s perception towards working woman With this respectable source of earning, I will continue to serve my village as it gives a boost in my self-esteem to be a contributor in household income,” she says on a positive note.
USAID engages rural women and helps them earn a respectable livelihood
“The USAID Dairy Project has not just made me an independent woman; it has changed community’s perception towards working woman With this respectable source of earning, I will continue to serve my village as it gives a boost in my self-esteem to be a contributor in household income,” says Shakila.
-Shakila Hanifa, Dairy Project trained Woman Livestock Extension Worker (WLEW) from Tehsil Mailsi, District Vehari,
Annual Progress
Report
October 2015 – September 2016
Empowering Rural Women
Farhat Jamshed belongs to Basti Malook, Tehsil & District Multan, where she lives with four children and her husband. She began providing tailoring services in her village in order to make ends meet, but unfortunately that did not provide her with a sustainable income to support her family. Thereafter, she heard from local health worker about USAID Project. Very ambitious and desperately looking for some alternate source of income, she applied for the training and was selected as a trainee for the Women Livestock Extension Worker (WLEW) training course.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Dairy and Rural Development Foundation (DRDF) through their Dairy Project are providing trainings to women from Punjab’s rural communities to become livestock extension workers. The Dairy Project provides a basic 6-weeks long course, and the curriculum and graduation certificates are provided in joint collaboration with the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS).
“Prior to the trainings, I was not earning enough income to support basic necessities for my children and family. Now, I have been able to set up a clinic through which I am providing livestock extension services to the dairy farmers in my village,” she further explains.
The USAID-DRDF Dairy Project team assisted Farhat in learning about the techniques of animal disease prevention and basic animal healthcare and livestock management, which included measures such as timely and scheduled vaccinations against diseases.
“I was provided with a medical support kit after completion of the course for the purpose of providing basic treatment to animals and giving them basic preventive care,” says Farhat.
Farhat now provides services to nearby villages and also offers advisory services to community members. She is also able to sell more than 2000 vanda bags and earn a profit of PKR 8,750 in the month of September. Her new practice has increased her monthly income. “I have earned a profit of PKR 7,025 in September.” she says.
The USAID-DRDF Dairy Project team aims to continue providing support and guidance for women to be able to provide livestock extension support, and equip them with the knowledge, skills and tools to provide much-needed animal health care in their villages.
USAID-DRDF Dairy Project helps rural woman become livestock extension worker to provide animal health care and management services in her village
“I participated in the USAID-DRDF Dairy Project training course and I am now able to help nurture the dairy animals of my village. This training course has enabled me to perform basic animal health care and management. I was also provided with a medical kit upon completion of the course and was able to setup a clinic.”
-Farhat Jamshed, Dairy Project
trained Women Livestock
Extension Worker (WLEW) from
Basti Malook, Tehsil & District
Multan.