Livestock
Livestock are a traditional part of most small farms in eastern Africa. Well-managed, they play a vital role in smallholder farm systems.
The importance of livestock-derived protein
Meat, eggs, milk and milk-products are an essential source of nutrition for many rural families in Africa who have limited access to varied sources of plant-based protein.
Livestock-derived foods are the richest sources of high-quality protein, essential fatty acids and other important micronutrients.
Animal manure and soil health
For many smallholder farmers the manure from their cows, and smaller farm animals, is as highly prized as the food they produce.
Animal manure helps to build high-quality compost that rebuilds soil structure and boosts fertility and productivity. Manure can also produce biogas for sustainable cooking fuel which is less damaging to family health than smoky wood stoves.
Livestock for income
Animals are a valuable store of wealth for families with few other resources, and provide security against financial shocks.
Chickens, goats, piglets and calves can be sold to invest in the farm or house-building, and the regular income from milk and eggs build savings and pay for school fees and medical insurance.
The training we provide
We ensure that the farmers we’re working with have the knowledge and skills for best-practice animal management
- Building the right kind of shelters and enclosures for livestock
- Animal management and health
- Livestock feeding, and growing fodder
- Disease control
- Animal reproduction, and improving breeding
- Care and loading of draught animals which reduce the drudgery of farm labour and provide transport to local markets
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