Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation: Value Chain Development

NGO:                                      Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation         

Project Title:                           Integrated approach to maximise the benefit of livestock value chains

Project Area:                                 Pirgacha and Pirganj Upazila, Rangpur.

Target:                                           800 Beneficiary Households (BHH)

Years to Graduate:                 2 years                       

Budget (BDT):                        Total budget is BDT 28,001,773; cost per BHH is BDT 35,002 of which direct delivery cost is BDT 22,590

Key Aspects

  • The project rational is to combat monga, a period of seasonal food insecurity, brought about by lack of income and employment opportunities;
  • It aims to address lack of an undiversified employment opportunities; limited and mostly crop-based employment options; limited knowledge and skills; low self-esteem; poor social networks; and poor health and nutrition;
  • The basic component of the project is to therefore improve livelihoods through the generation of employment opportunities for extreme poor; 
  • It promotes biogas plant installation technologies and utilisation, including groups of beneficiaries who will become skilled masons and technicians on biogas plant installation and maintenance;
  • Promotion of cross-breed heifer (milking cow) and other suitable breed (beef fattening), including the provision of asset transfer (livestock) and stipends to ensure initial livestock management and care;
  • Promotion of improved fodder and livestock feeds production and business as alternative income and employment opportunities, including skills development, provision of working capital for business, cash for leasing in private and public land on short and medium term basis;
  • Improved access to markets according to a process which will include market surveys, matchmaking events with market actors, development of marketing skills and promotion of a group marketing approach;
  • After 1.5 years, a large majority of beneficiary families will be able to secure their income, food and employment throughout the year. At the end of the project cycle at least 90 percent of the beneficiary families (average 5 members) will generate a monthly income of at least BDT 4,000.

Outputs

  • Economic empowerment;
  • Increased social capital;
  • Increased food security;
  • Enhanced market linkages.

For information on other activities of Intercooperation, click here