LAHORE - In support of a US programme that will positively impact lives of 12,000 small dairy farmers, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Director for Economic Growth and Agriculture William Patterson attended a US-sponsored conference hosted by Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab (L&DD). In his remarks Patterson said, “This forum will result in better programme interventions, minimal overlaps and more visible impact on the lives of the people of the Punjab.”
The primary objective of the conference was to coordinate support amongst donors and gather information to develop an effective approach for the advancement of livestock and dairy business development in Punjab. Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development Punjab Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh remarked, “Due to lack of coordination, a large number of projects for the livestock sector tend to chase similar targets and focus on similar geographical areas limiting their impact. This conference is the first of many, which will ensure that efforts are not duplicated and more people of Punjab benefit from these programmes.”
USAID’s three-year Dairy Project, implemented by Dairy and Rural Development Foundation (DRDF), is a $14 million programme which will positively impact lives of small dairy farmers by increasing their productivity and their incomes. The project provides training on the best dairy farm management techniques, artificial insemination and also provides women livestock workers with entrepreneurial training.
The conference was also attended by Director USAID Punjab Ted Gehr, USAID Project Management Specialist Sajjad Moghal, and representatives from various donor organisations including UNDP, DFID and World Bank.