In rural Afghanistan, livestock ownership is more than a tradition—it's a lifeline for farmers, underpinning their economic stability and food security. As part of our climate change adaptation programming, we recognise the importance of improving the health, productivity and longevity of Afghan livestock, as a means for owners to build resilience against climate change.

Living in some of Afghanistan's most remote, underserved regions, farmers often lack the funds, training, tools or support networks to effectively care for their animals. When their animals are weak, and of poor health, families’ food supply, income, and general wellbeing are all significantly impacted, contributing further to the cycle of poverty and instability. 

However, through simple interventions Afghanaid are able to support livestock owners so their animals can thrive. 

How do we help farmers improve the health and productivity of their livestock? 

Through bolstering veterinary services in rural areas, Afghanaid works to safeguard the well-being of livestock and the food security of the communities we serve, and significantly contribute to the economic stability of the farmers.

For example, as part of one of our largest climate change adaptation programmes, Afghanaid and its partners established 30 Veterinary Field Units (VFUs) to strengthen the capacity for managing animal health and meet the needs of the community. These VFUs, led by paravets and local community members trained in basic veterinary care, are instrumental in providing improved veterinary services to remote areas, offering better quality and greater access to services, such as vaccinations, treatment, and consultations, making a significant impact across six provinces. 

Our dedicated local teams carefully selected para-veterinarians from the community who already have strong involvement in livestock and animal welfare, whilst also possessing a thorough understanding of the local area, and demonstrating a strong commitment to helping to expand services and knowledge to other communities.  Many of these para-vets were already running private practices within our targeted communities. However, their services were limited to areas near their existing veterinary office units due to the lack of resources for travelling to more remote locations.

What services do these paravets provide?

Most of these individuals have received prior training, but also undertook additional training to become para-veterinarians within the programme. As part of the training, our projects provided paravets with 33 types of technical veterinary tools for each VFU, such as motorcycles to facilitate movement across communities, solar panels, freezers, stethoscope, and other obstetric instruments, along with technical guidance and essential information on livestock-related matters.

The services they provide include: 

• Diagnosing and treating animal diseases, particularly the prevention of prevalent livestock diseases such as brucellosis and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which when left untreated can wreak havoc on herds and livestock, and lead to costly loss of animal life. 

• Organising vaccination campaigns and administering anti-parasite treatments, and sharing seasonal livestock development information through monthly meetings. Over 55,000 animals have been treated so far. 

• Forming Livestock Extension Groups (LEG) and establishing livestock development groups and training in farm management in each community. This comprehensive approach ensures that more livestock owners have access to vital services and are equipped with the knowledge required to mitigate risk to animals, thereby improving their livelihoods and the health of their animals. As a result, many farmers have reported increased productivity and income.   

• Providing livestock and animal health development services to all livestock owners in the area. This includes offering direct veterinary services and participating in project-related veterinary and livestock development activities.

Local paravets offer affordable services, making animal care more accessible to farmers that may have typically been excluded from animal healthcare practices. With healthy, thriving livestock, these livestock owners now have healthy thriving businesses, and are able to earn a stable income and feed their families. 

Role of women

Amidst the growing restrictions on women's public participation, Afghan women maintain a crucial role in livestock management. As women are also often livestock owners, and typically look after household animals, the VFUs activities support them in taking care of their livestock and contribute to the welfare of their families and communities.

Women have significantly benefited from VFU services in Bamyan province. Their poultry received the necessary vaccines and medications, and the women gained valuable technical knowledge on poultry farm management, hygiene, and disease control. This has enhanced their livestock management skills and contributed to the overall well-being of their communities.

Their impact in local communities 

Since they were set up in 2023, around 41,667 people from different nearby communities have visited the VFUs near the areas we work in for livestock care. This shows how important VFUs are in improving animal health and supporting local economies. By ensuring easy access to veterinary services, and enabling livestock owners to access the timely treatment and vaccination services for their animals, we are able to prevent disease spread and minimise animal losses.

However, the VFUs' most significant impact is to enhance farmers' capacity by improving their knowledge of various animal diseases and providing regular advice and guidance to improve livestock management practices. Through training and awareness raising, farmers can gain in-depth knowledge of how best to care for their animals and cascade this information throughout their family and community, ensuring animal welfare is prioritised for generations to come.

As we move forward, our primary focus remains on supporting the establishment of VFUs. We will continue to provide paravets with essential equipment, such as tables, chairs, freezers, motorcycles, cupboards, solar panels, and other relevant tools supporting the VFUs' establishment. With a continued aim of expanding reach and continually enhancing the quality of our services to meet and adapt to changing needs, we hope to support even more farming and herding communities in this way.

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