Livestock and integrated production programme

Integrated cattle production
Dairy products are commonly eaten both in rural and urban areas and beef is eaten mainly in urban areas - in rural areas it is reserved for special occasions or when a sick animal is slaughtered to avoid waste. Cattle are also widely used as work animal and they are regarded as economic assets. FAO has developed projects aimed at improving the quality of livestock and milk yields.

Fodder crops: demonstration plots of various fodder crops (winter and summer varieties) have been established in important livestock-producing provinces. The aim is to introduce new fodder crops for periods of feed shortage and to replace local varieties with improved cultivars. Multi-cut oats and sorghum have been newly introduced while new varieties of the popular fodder crops Lucerne, Shaftal and Berseem are being field tested in different regions.

Artificial insemination (AI): FAO has introduced AI services to rural communities to improve the genetic potential of the cattle population. This service is implemented through the VFUs in locations where opportunities for improved dairy production exist like Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar and Balkh provinces. In times of drought AI has additional benefits because it can compensate for the severe shortage of breeding bulls. Depending on the potential of the different locations, semen of Friesian, Brown Swiss and Jersey bulls is used to inseminate local and crossbred cows. During the last three years average conception rates were 70 percent, with low calf losses overall.

Integrated dairy development: milk is an essential source of nutrients - especially calcium. In addition to home consumption sale of milk and dairy products offers income opportunities especially for smaller farmers. FAO has established three small-scale integrated dairy schemes around the cities of Kabul, Kandahar and Mazar-i-Sharif. Farmers deliver their milk to village collection points, where it is quality tested, pasteurised, processed and sold. Member farmers of the milk schemes are supported with extension services, concentrated feed, fodder seeds, AI and veterinary services.