ASAP – Broad-based Livestock Development

  (Part of the Accelerating Sustainable Agriculture Program)

This extensive project is more or less the follow up of the DCA-RAMP-project (January 2004 – July 2006). The most important target of the RAMP-project was the establishment of a network of veterinary field units (VFUs) all over Afghanistan. During this RAMP period, DCA-VET and its local partners AVA (Afghan Veterinary Association) and PRB (Partners in Revitalization and Building) achieved excellent results; the number of VFUs increased from 100 to 400. These VFUs are staffed with 600 graduated paravets and veterinary assistants.

During 2007, under the ASAP project DCA aimed at the extension of the number of VFUs and training of new paravets. At the end of 2008, 350 VFUs are operational in all 17 ASAP provinces. These VFUs are also used for training of the farmers in their neighbourhood. The VFU staff advises the farmers on the preention and/or treatment of the most occurring animal diseases, like Anthrax, Blackleg, Enterotoxaemia, Sheep pox, Peste des Petits Ruminants, Foot-and-Mouth disease and Newcastle Disease. Furthermore, they give advice on good animal nutrition.

From January 2008, ASAP focused on increasing the turnover of VFUs. The network of VFUs is almost complete now, and the next step is to ensure the sustainability of these veterinary field units, without financial support. For this reason, DCA-VET works on expansion of the VFU services. Paravets are being trained (during so called refresher courses) in artificial insemination, animal health and nutrition advice, and in harvesting and storage of cashmere wool. Also an extensive educational campaign is being held to draw the farmer's attention to the importance of proper veterinary care of their animals. The additional services of VFUs are of course also promoted during the campaign.

In 2009, all 350 VFUs combined reached a turnover of more than US$ 3 million.

ASAP project extended till 30 April 2011

From July 2010 onwards, the ASAP project is extended until April 30, 2011. The total estimated DCA- budget was increased from US$ 7,539,236 to US$ 8,948,299. In this final ASAP period, DCA-VET will strengthen and expand the VFU programme as usual. But now the focus will be on the southern and eastern provinces of Afghanistan. In the northern provinces, the activities to improve the sustainability of the  VFUs will be continued and extended as usual.

In the south and east, a survey will be undertaken to assess the present status of the VFUs in eight provinces. DCA-VET contracted the A4T (Afghans for Tomorrow) organization to perform this assessment.  Also the need for additional new VFUs will be investigated. DCA-VET intends to construct some 70 new VFUs. 20 to 30 of these VFUs will be staffed with newly trained paravets. These paravets start their education in Charikar VTSC in September 2010. In the remaining VFUs (assistant) veterinarians will take care of the veterinary services. In each of the eight provinces a Provincial Coordinator will be recruited and trained to facilitate and monitor the new animal health care activities. The successful Small Ruminant Herd Health Package will be translated in Pashtu and introduced in the southern and eastern provinces as well.

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Latest revision 01 August 2010