CASE STUDY OF LIVESTOCK EXTENSION WORKERS

Transcription

1 CASE STUDY OF LIVESTOCK EXTENSION WORKERS By Jan Muhammad Khan Expert Training & Extension and Dr. Akhtar Ali Assistant Director Livestock February 2000 Upland Rehabilitation and Development Project Dir Kohistan

2 Introduction Livestock is a vital component of every household in the farming system of Dir Kohistan area. Farmers mostly rear cattle goats and sheep. A small backyard poultry unit is considered quite necessary with every household. Cows are the main milch animals. Goats are kept for milk, meat and hair production while sheep are kept for meat and wool production. On average, there are 5 6 goats and sheep herds in each village in high micro-agroecological zones of the project area. Each herd consists of about 100 to 250 animals in with a sheep ratio of 4:1 Based on the results of diagnostic survey carried by the communities are: High incidence of livestock and poultry disease: Lack of veterinary facilities; Poor performance of local breeds of livestock and poultry; and Shortage of fodder. Among these problems, high incidence of livestock diseases and lack of veterinary facilities were perceived as the most serious ones. Heavy losses occur not only due to diseases specific mortality caused by some fatal diseases, but also in the form of reduced milk, meat and egg production accompanied by high costs of treatment and increased labour requirements. Lack of veterinary facilities in a very acute problem. There are only three veterinary centers in the project area, which are situated in Sawni, Patrack and Thall. The staff absenteeism and shortage of veterinary medicines are the major constraints for the efficient working of these centers. In addition the area is comprised of remote and off the road side villages with negligible transport facilities, which make these centers inaccessible for the farmers. Under these circumstances the only option left with the farmers in to opt for slaughtering. Livestock Extension Workers Programme Keeping in view these problems, the project initiated the community based training programme to build the capacity at grassroots level. Under this programme Livestock Extension Workers (LEWs) were to be trained. The objectives for this programme are: To provide cheap, easy and readily available veterinary services to the farmers at their door step; To create awareness about improved livestock manage mental practices; and To provide job opportunities and increase income. Nomination and selection Criteria

3 The village organizations nominate these extension workers. The following is the nomination criteria for LEWs: The nominee shall be matriculate, exceptions are sometimes allowed on insistence of communities; The nominee shall be permanently residing in the area, and The nominees shall be willing to adopt it as a profession. When the organizations nominate a person, he is interviewed by the concerned project staff. After selection the LEW sign terms of partnership (TOP) Training Programme The training programme was started in Jun, 1998 in which 9 LEWs were provided basic training at project level, In Dec, 1998, 6 more were added to the fleet by providing them training at AHITI Peshawar. Based on the geographic distribution of these extension workers, gaps were felt and 3 more were trained at HITI Peshawar in November Presently, a network of 18 LEWs is spread over the project area (See Annex). The LEWs have to go through intensive training programme. This programme will be continued and they will be provided need based trainings time by time. However, in the project life they will be taught the complete curricula being taught to Veterinary Assistant at ATI Peshawar. Monitoring and follow up These extension workers are regularly monitored and followed up by the Assistant Director Livestock and Expert Training and Extension. They are keeping regular records of their services delivered and provide regular monthly progress reports. The Assisntant Director Livestock is also providing them technical assistance on the spot. About this study Monitoring and follow up in the essential feature of this programme. However, it was felt to carry out case studies to further deepen the insight with the following objectives; To see the effectiveness of the service delivery by the extension workers. To see the economic dependency of LEWs on this profession To see the extent of coverage of their services. To assess their training needs. Methodology The project area is having a network of 18 LEWs. Out of these 4 were randomly selected to get unbiased information, so that an overall status of the programme is known. A checklist was prepared for the study. Semi structured interviews were done with LEWs and 5 randomly taken community members. About this report

4 This report presents four individual cases of LEWs and response of farmers. AT the end Mr. Abdul Sattar conclusions are drawn and recommendations are formulated. Livestock Extension Worker Mr. Abdul Sattar is LEW Thal Kalaan. He is 40 years old with middle education level. Formerly he was a farmer and doing some small business in agricultural inputs. He entered to LEW programme in Nov, 1998 and is now providing services to the farmers. In Thal there is a veterinary center, but no veterinary Asstt. is available. The LEW is providing services to the formers of Kumrat, Seri, Badgoi, Puthmans, Lamothi, Mathool and Jandrai. Presently he was kept his medicines with a shopkeeper in Thal and is doing his practice. He intends to build a separate store in Thal Bazar, trained, the formers were not having access to veterinary services. The farmers were using local medicines and Dam Durha. With his training the situation somewhat changed, the people have easy access to him. They either take him to their livestock, if the problem is serious, or tell him signs and symptoms and he administer the medicines. With project vaccination campaign, he became popular among the local people. He has provided training to local people on improved livestock management. Most he is providing vaccines, authelmentics and mineral mixtures to the farmers. On the average he is having 10 clients per day. He I brining medicines from Temargara. He is earning on the average about Rs.1500/- per onth from this profession. His dependence on this profession for his livelihood is 20%. He is regularly attending VO meetings and delivers extension messages on improved managmenal practices. He regularly maintains the records and submits the progress report to the project. He is needing training in poultry, sheep and goat management and dog treatment. In case of problem he contacts the nearby LEW and Asst. Director Livestock of the project. Response of Farmers Mr. Tajbar Khan from Bijlighar Thall told that before Mr. Abdul Sattar was not trained they had a lot of problems. No one was there to help them. The only option with them was to slaughter the animal. But now this problem was solved. He added that once his goat got temporary problem and he took Mr. Abdul Sattar. He treated his goat and that got recovered. He paid him Rs.50/- Mr. Akhtar Gul from Kalaan Thall told that once his Buffalo got dystocia and he took the LEW who treated the animal which got recovered. He paid Rs.120/- Mr. Shahroom was asked about the same LEW but he was unaware about him. He used local herbs for the treatment of his livestock. In case of serious problem he is going to slaughter the animal. He is 8 Km away from LEW.

5 Mr. Gul Bahadur Livestock Extension Worker Mr. Gul Bahadur is LEW Kalkot. He is 25 years old. His education level is secondary. Formerly he was a shopkeeper. Now he has opened an additional independent veterinary store. He entered to LEW programme in June 1998 and is now providing services to the community. In Kalkot there is no veterinary centre. He is covering the village villages of Kalkot, Dalatror, Maiel kas, Junkai and Shalkun. He is working in a radius 3 5 Km. Before he was not trained, the farmers were having no access to veterinary services. Now the people contract him for their problems. He either gives medicines from the store on the basis of sign and symptoms or in case of serious problems he visits and treats the animals. The project has conducted a vaccination campaign through him in his area, which helped him in his popularity among the formers. His service delivering capacity is improving with the passage of time. Mostly he is providing anthelmentics, vaccines and mineral mixtures to the farmers. He is attending VO meetings regularly and delivers extension messages about improved livestock management practices during the meetings. He is bringing medicines from Temargara and Swat. The Asstt. Director Livestock is also supporting him in arranging the medicines. He is earning Rs. 1700/- per month on the average. He is regularly maintaining records and submitting monthly progress report to the project. He needs further training in poultry, cattle management, disease control and use of medicines, In case of problem he contracts the nearby LEW and Asstt. Director Livestock. Response of farmers Mr. Jehanzeb from Kalkot told, Before Gul Bahadur was not trained, they only option wit them was to slaughter the animal, as no one was there to help them. Now the situation has improved and the farmers are going for vaccination, deworming and upto some extent the farmers are adopting improved manage mental practices. Mr, Jamal Din from Kalkot told, Mr. Gul Bahardur visited my livestrock in two cases, both recovered and he paid Rs.70/- for one case and the other is on credit Mr. Muhammad Kamal from Darak told that once his animal was ill and Mr. Gul Bahadur trearted the animal and that got recovered. Mr. Muhammad Jan from Kawan told that he was coming to LEW for treatment of animals. Mr. Toor Pacha from Kawan told that once his animal had impaction and he called Gul Bahadur, who treated the animal but the animal died.

6 Mr. Said Mehmood Jan LEW Bela is 35 years old with middle education level. Formerly he was a shopkeeper and doing some farming. Now in addition to these, he is providing veterinary services. He has kept his medicines in his shop. He has joined LEW training program in November In his area there is no veterinary center. Before he was trained, the people were having no access to veterinary services. Oxytertracycline was solution for all livestock problems. He is providing services to formers in Bela, Kisan Khel, Bar Kall, Aman Khawar, Sundrai and Beshu Bala. He is selling medicines from his shop on the basis of signs and symptoms told by the client. He is selling medicines from his shop on the basis of signs and symptoms told by the client. He also visits animal in case of serious problem. His popularity has increased with vaccination campaign carried out by eh project through them. He is mostly using anthelmentics, antibiotics vaccines minerals nutrias. He is brining medicines from Sheringal, Timergara and Peshawar. In case of problem he is contacting AD Livestock of the Project. He is covering area within a radius of 3-5 Km. He is earning Rs.1000/ per month on the average and depends 30% on this profession for his livelihood. He is keeping records and providing monthly progress report to the Project. Response of farmers Mr. Said Mehmood Jan Livestock Extension Worker Ahmad Jan from Beshu Bala told that once his sheep got problem. He took the LEW and treatment was provided. It got recovered. Saifur Rehman from Bela that he had used the services of LEW for three times. His services were very useful. Before he was not trained, only Oxy or Vermisol was available and was solution of all problems. He has paid for the service rendered to him. Ziarat Gul from Jikand Payeen told that once his cow got problem, and they contacted the LEW. He provided treatment and the animal got recovered. Aman Ullah Khan from Bishu Bala told that once his cow got impactions he contacted the LEW and the treatment was provided. The animal got recovered.

7 Mr. Rehman Shah Livestock Extension Worker Rehman Shah is LEW Doro. He is 21 years old. His education level is secondary. He was jobless before he entered the training program. He got training in November 1998 and started his work and now he has also become a teacher in Govt. School. He has opened a veterinary store in Chinaran, near Doro and is providing services to the farmers. In his area there is a veterinary dispensary in Sawni, which is at distance of 5 KM from his place of practice. Before he was not trained the people used Dam Darah and local medicines in case of livestock problem and now he is providing services to the farmers at their door step. The people are visiting his tore and he is providing medinciens on the basis of signs and stmptoms nad also he is taken by the farmers in case of serious problem. He is covering the villages of Bundish, Doro, Jatkok, Kas, GAnshall, Doon, Chinaran and Jatkool. He is providing services in a radius of 1-16 Km. He is mostly using anthelmentics, mineral mixtures, antibiotics and vaccines. He is purchasing medicines of per month. He is getting Rs per month from this profession. He is maintaining records and submitting monthly progress report to AD Liver stock of the Project. He needs training in Poultry, livestock treatment and refreshers. Response of farmers Mr. Abid Rehman president of VO Doro told that once his goat was ill. He called LEW on phone and LEW provided treatment and the animal got recovered. He further told that if his services would have not be available, he would have used Dam Durha and local medicines. Ghulam Sadiq from Doro told that he had problem of weak animals and less production. He contacted LEW and administered some medicines on his advice. The production got improved. Muqam Gul from Ganshal was not aware about the services of the concerned LEW. He is at a distance of 14 Km from his store. Shah Muhammad from Doon told that in case of problem he contacted the Sawni veterinary centre. He was not aware about the services of LEW. Muhamamd Khaliq from Bundish was not aware about the services of LEW.

8 Conclusions Based on the results of these cases it could be said that upto a greater extend effective veterinary services are now readily available to the community. With the passage of time the capacity of LEWs is building and the services are improving both qualitatively and quantitatively. Most of the LEWs have opened their veterinary stores and earn a reasonable income form this profession and their family income has been increased. Presently the network of LEWs is covering a significant portion of the area. However, the coverage is more in the nearby vicinity and decreases as the distance of villages increases from the location of their practice. Approximately in a radius of 3-5 km the intensity of the service delivery is more. The follow up of the Assistant Director Livestock and training Expert played a pivotal role in building this program. The training needs were mostly related to poultry management, cattle, sheep and goat management, pharmacology of medicines and refreshers. Recommendations More LEWs shall be trained to cover the whole project area. The geographical sphere of the LEWs shall be reduced to increase the intensity of their coverage. The capacity building program of the LEWs shall be intensified through regular training courses and refreshers.