DUSHANBE, November 5, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- On Wednesday November 5, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UNFAO) signed a Project Agreement on implementation of the project “Emergency Provision of Animal Feed and Fodder Seeds, Clinical Veterinary Services, and Training for the Most Vulnerable and Weather Affected Livestock Farmers in Muminobod, Baljuvon and Khovaling Districts of Khatlon Province”.

Gulnoza Hasanova, media and communication officer, SDC Dushanbe Office, said the total Swiss contribution in the project amounts to US$1.0608 million.

The Project was initially designed as an emergency response to the UN-OCHA-Flash Appeal submitted to the international donor community in February 2008, under the title Emergency Provision of Animal Feed, Veterinary Services and Training for Livestock Farmers in Muminobod District of Khatlon Province with a total Swiss contribution of US$320,000.  It has now been extended till July 31, 2009 expanding the target area to Khovaling and Baljuvon and with additional funds amounting to US 740,800.  Thus the project is an adequate response to the latent risks of slow-onset degradations on a longer-term perspective.

One of the severe consequences of the harsh winter 2007/08 experienced by Tajikistan was, among many others, a general reduction in quality and quantity of animal feed and unavailability of winter pastures. This situation resulted in significantly increased mortality of livestock and decreased animal productivity including milk and egg production (estimated drop of 20-30%) with a serious impact on the households, food security and cash income.

The Project seeks to maintain livestock keeping amongst the population mostly affected by the cold wave through: a) re-e-establishment of livestock production capacity through provision of animal feed and fodder seeds for further cultivation; b) maintenance of nutritious and healthy animal feeding practices through provision of clinical veterinary services, and c) prevention of future losses in livestock and livestock production through provision of trainings, impact assessment and early warning.