A Path to Prosperity New Directions for African Livestock

The ISP has advocated greater utilisation of value
chain analysis or ‘talking shops’ as one mechanism
for promoting contract farming and improved trade
policy. Participants confirmed that the links between
the different actors in value-chains are weak. Actors
rarely have the opportunity to come together and
discuss their objectives and challenges. It was
agreed that understanding the priorities of different
actors in the value chain is important if effective
marketing and trade policy is to be developed. It was
observed that the priorities of farmers commonly
differ to those of service providers particularly
veterinarians. For example farmers commonly
prioritize production diseases, where as
government veterinary services are more interested
in transboundary animal diseases and trade limiting
issues, international funding organizations are
commonly interested in pandemic threats, the
private sector in sales, public health officials in
zoonoses, researchers in publications etc.
In line with the conclusions of the ISP, it was felt
contract farming should be a key mechanism for
improving the profitability and production of small
scale producers; however greater awareness of
contract farming is urgently needed both within
farmer organisations and the private sector. The key
bottle necks to scaling up contract farming in Sub
Saharan where described as;-
> inadequate policies;
> poor awareness and direct involvement of
producers;
> lack of producer co-operatives or groups with
knowledge about their rights
> inadequate support, particularly micro finance;
> poor infrastructure development – as most
livestock products are perishable, goods require
cold chain or quick transport to market.
The use of new technologies particularly mobile
phones was advocated.
Finally, it was noted that small and poor farmers
will inevitably drop out of the market place in
coming years and this may not be a bad thing as
long as alternative livelihoods options and safety
nets are available for the most vulnerable.
The e discussion has now closed.
GALVmed would like to thank all the participants
who followed the discussion. We know your time
is valuable and hope you found some new
information and ideas of use. We are particular
grateful to those of you who posted comments.
We have had many thoughtful, passionate and
sincere contributions drawing upon a wealth
of experience. These were much appreciated.
Our objective over the past few weeks has been to
gather opinion and ideas on how the Impetus
Strategy paper (ISP) might be improved. I believe
we have, through your constructive criticism and
suggestions, achieved that objective.
Please find below some notes on the key issues
that arose.
In terms of the overall livestock sector in Sub
Saharan Africa:
> The discussants confirmed support for the
creation of a livestock forum that provides an
opportunity for a range of stakeholders, not just
government and international agencies, to voice
their opinions. There was strong advocacy for
greater synergy and collaboration between key
actors, including the private sector and civil
society. There is a need to re-appraise the state
of the livestock sector in Africa (both successes
and failures) if we are strengthen and develop a
range of effective livestock policies.
> Contributors reminded us that livestock keeping
is not just about monetary gain. Livestock are
important social capital for millions of people,
providing highly nutritious food to subsistence
farmers and the poor, manure for crop
production and draft power.
> Greater recognition of the key role that working
equines play in supporting peoples’ livelihoods
was advocated along with the need to do more
for their specific health problems and medicinal
requirements.
The Impetus Strategy Paper I Page 82