Livestock health services project

The climate in the north-western region is semi-arid. Productive arable land is limited and livestock rearing is the most important economic activity in the area, both for nomadic herders and settled farmers. An effective disease control strategy is crucially important to maintain animal health and avoid over-exploitation of rangelands. But poor road linkages make it difficult for pastoralists to visit veterinary centres and for veterinary services to reach pastoralists. Outbreaks of disease often go untreated.

The overall aim of the project was to help Somalia become more competitive in livestock markets in the Middle East and elsewhere. The project was designed to find ways to reduce economic losses in the livestock sector through disease control. Activities included:

• improving livestock marketing, especially relating to infrastructure and supplies
• improving holding and shipment facilities at Berbera port
• supporting the regional administration in improving disease control by putting together an effective disease control strategy
• investigating the possibility of diversifying livestock products, especially by producing frozen or processed meats

Source: IFAD