The features that made the scheme successful
include:
• a farmer-based approach since its inception;
• an emphasis on capacity building so that
farmers can manage the programme;
• availability of locally produced breeding
material;
• a group approach – farmers train each other
and share experiences;
• capacity building for extension staff, farmercentred
extension messages, and participatory
approaches; and
• the community-based establishment of breeder
units and buck stations.
The scheme has ensured that after the end of
“the project”, farmers are not reliant on government
services. Breeding stock is supplied by farmers
themselves, and a parallel animal healthcare service
has also been established by training communitybased
animal health workers, with links to more
qualified paraveterinarians and veterinarians. An
integrated fodder and reforestation programme was
also established.