The impact of livestock farmer field schools in Afghan villages
Lal Mohammad, a livestock farmer in Tori Khail village, Paktika province, has faced numerous hardships. Supporting a family of nine, he relied on his animals for income, but harsh winters and prolonged droughts severely affected his livestock. After losing a calf and several goats, Lal Mohammad struggled with low milk production and barely managed to cover feed costs.
His situation changed when he joined the "Strengthening Rural Livelihoods and Food Security Programme in Afghanistan," funded by USAID and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Rural Rehabilitation Association for Afghanistan (RRAA). Through this programme, Lal Mohammad received a livestock protection package, which included 200 kg of concentrated animal feed, 10 kg of mineral blocks, 3 kg of fodder seeds, 0.2 litres of deworming treatment, and nine months of hands-on training through a Livestock Farmer Field School (L-FFS).
The L-FFS programme ran for a whole season, providing critical lessons on livestock nutrition, disease prevention, and hygiene. Lal Mohammad learned how to improve his livestock's health and productivity. FAO recruited 125 experienced facilitators to train farmers like Lal Mohammad across eight provinces, named: Badakhshan, Nuristan, Paktika, Jawzjan, Parwan, Nimroz, Badghis, and Bamyan, using a hands-on, community-based participatory approach.
According to Bahrullah Baheer, one of the facilitators, the L-FFS programme equips farmers with essential livestock management and decision taken skills that lead to healthier animals and increased production. Training through “Livestock farmer field school helps farmers prevent diseases, manage nutrition, and improve overall livestock productivity, resulting in more milk, meat, and wool,” he explained.
Lal Mohammad's experience showcases the programme's success. After applying the techniques he learned, his cow's milk production doubled from two to four litres per day. This increase allowed him to sell the extra milk in local markets, generating an additional 6 000 Afghanis (USD 90) per month. This new income not only covered the costs of caring for his animals but also supported his family’s daily needs.
Inspired by the positive changes, Lal Mohammad now plans to expand his herd and plans of sending his children to school. “I have learned so much-how to prevent diseases, boost milk production, and maintain cleanliness in the barn. Now, caring for my livestock brings me real joy,” he said.
Livestock farming is crucial for the livelihoods of rural families in Afghanistan, providing them with food, income, and nutrition. FAO’s programme, which aims to implement 2 000 Livestock Farmer Field Schools by 2026 targeting around 40 000 livestock keepers, is already transforming the lives of thousands of smallholder farmers. By promoting sustainable livestock farming, the initiative is building resilience and economic stability for vulnerable communities across the country.
In Paktika province alone, 1 000 households have received livestock protection packages, and 624 households are actively benefiting from the L-FFS initiative. This effort is part of USAID’s broader strategy to enhance food security and resilience in Afghanistan, ensuring a brighter future for farmers like Lal Mohammad and their communities.