The programme aims to reduce poverty in the Kakheti region by upgrading the livestock market system to increase the inclusion of smallholder farmers.
Market systems focus
Livestock market system, with particular focus on meat and dairy sectors of Georgia.
Programme interventions
Livestock market system
- Improved market access for small holder farmers through improved product, service and information.
- Improved production for small holder livestock farmers through improved veterinary services, better feed and improved access to information.
- Overall favourable business environment for the regional and nationally operating SMEs and livestock farmers, through improved public private dialogue and skills of SMEs to lobby for their interests on local and national level.
Notable results (systemic change, poverty impact)
- Thanks to the direct relationship between the veterinary pharmacies and the input supplier, the pharmacies have gained better access to updated information about new drugs, the global animal health sector and good practices of appropriate treatments.
- The strengthened relationship between input supplier and veterinary pharmacies enables the latter to sell on credit when necessary, addressing cash-flow problems and improving farmers’ access to drugs and treatments.
- Feed mills transform from single service provision (grinding cereals) to a comprehensive feed business: providing farmers with improved feed, premixes, mixed ingredients and ground cereals.
- By partnering with dairies, feed mills are able to provide advice and high-quality products to milking cattle farmers.
- By providing embedded services (e.g. vet services, feed and credit) the relation between farmer and dairy (i.e. small and medium dairy enterprises or small and medium milk processing enterprises) is becoming stronger and this creates stability, trust and a more effective and profitable business for both parties.
- Thanks to the support of input suppliers, veterinary technicians attached to dairies have better access to drugs at more affordable prices.
- Additional net annual income for surveyed 798 in 2015 who used improved feed for their pigs, was around CHF 350,000 or CHF 439 per family. This represents a 75% increase from CHF 251 per family before the project.
- Additional net annual income for surveyed 270 farmers who used winter feeding for their milking cows, was around CHF 85,000 or CHF 315 per family. This represents a 57% increase from CHF 200 per family before the project.
- 64 farmers (only in 6 months of 2017) saved around CHF 23,000 by detecting and solving the problems of their cows, while applying and use ultrasound services provided by veterinarians.