About SA PPLPP
SA PPLPP was established in 2006 with the objective of facilitating and contributing to the development of pro-poor livestock policy and programme implementation, in three selected South Asian countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan and India. SA PPLPP’s interventions in these countries were implemented through programme partners – BRAC in Bangladesh, the Department of Livestock Services in Bhutan and BAIF Development Research Foundation in India.The programme mandate included the identification of good practices that had demonstrated sustainable benefits to small-holder livestock rearers, documentation of these practices, collating lessons learnt and using these lessons to advocate for a more conducive policy and programme support environment for small-holder livestock rearers in the South Asia region. Good practice documentation currently focuses on three core sectors – common lands and the impact of development and regeneration of these lands on small-holder livestock rearers; small-holder poultry rearing; and small ruminant rearing. The programme is funded by the National Dairy Development Board and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
The first phase of the programme (which concluded in March 2009) focused on the establishment of a regional coordination office in New Delhi, constitution of country teams in the three programme countries, and finalisation of the mandate and terms of reference, identification of good practices, building the capacities of country teams to undertake detailed documentation as per agreed guidelines and documentation of good practices. Phase 2 designed for a three year period (until March 2012, and extended by three months until June 2012) was mandated to complete the identified good practice documentation, collate and bring together lessons learnt, and initiate and take forward policy dialogue and advocacy to benefit small-holder livestock rearers.
Based on the experience gained, the third phase of the programme that commenced from July 2012, focuses on building collaborations and partnerships to strengthen field implementation and state / national policy frameworks for small-holder livestock development programmes (primarily small-holder poultry rearing and small ruminant rearing), and facilitate an improved translation of policy and programme design ‘on the ground’. The identification and documentation of field practices that have demonstrated positive outcomes on the livelihoods of the rural poor, sector studies including a review and analysis of small-holder livestock related value chains, and the monitoring and impact assessment of livestock policies and programmes will be related priority activities. The focus of activities will be primarily in India, where SA PPLPP is in the process of undertaking select studies on small ruminant rearing and small-holder poultry rearing. These will include studies to assess the potential of goat/ sheep/ poultry rearing in specific regions, constraints faced by rearers and how these could be overcome to further strengthen and secure these livelihoods for the rural poor. Studies will also be conducted on the impact/ contribution of mainstream programmes on small-holder livestock rearing (specifically goat and sheep rearing, and back-yard poultry rearing) and the impact of pilot initiatives to strengthen small-holder livestock rearing.
While the earlier institutional structure comprising country teams has concluded, SA PPLPP will continue with initiatives to identify successful small-holder livestock rearing interventions from the South Asian region, and document these for wider dissemination. In addition, information exchange activities focused on small-holder livestock rearing will continue.
