Northern Region Sustainable Livelihoods Through Livestock Development Project (A Joint Evaluation)

The transition to commercial agriculture requires extensive training and empowerment of smallholder farmers. The NRSLLDP aimed to provide farmers with animals to be integrated into their semi-subsistence livelihoods. These additional animals were stores of wealth that were sold occasionally to smooth consumption (e.g., school fees) or support other investments (e.g., motorbikes). With a commercialized approach, the focus is on maximizing a stream of income over a sustained period. This will require substantial changes in the production, marketing, selling, and reinvesting cycle. Compared with the NRSLLDP, this will require much more intense and regular training.