Improving micro enterprises in dairy, the Dairy Value Chain Initiative of the US Agency for International Development's (USAID) Entrepreneurs Project has been successfully completed by Hashoo Foundation (HF). A project close-out ceremony was arranged by the Foundation in Bahawalpur to celebrate its many successes and in particular the public-private partnership it was able to establish between HF and Shakarganj Food Product Limited.
Dairy farmers from Southern Punjab, representatives from Pakistan's livestock sector, and local NGOs joined project beneficiaries at the ceremony, says a press release issued here on Tuesday. The main objective of the initiative was to increase the incomes of micro-entrepreneurs involved in milk production and marketing, the majority of who are women, by 50%. The Project has enhanced the capacities of over 8,000 dairy farmers including Female Livestock Extension Workers (FLEWs) and Female Village Milk Collectors (FVMCs) through extensive capacity building and the integration of effective markets.
Ali Akbar, Country Director, Hashoo Foundation, stated that it was a proud day for the Foundation because the project, through the untiring efforts of its staff had successfully facilitated improved livelihoods and greater economic security within the community of Bahawalpur. He appreciated the work of the female livestock extension workers who as budding new entrepreneurs were now providing badly needed services at the doorsteps of female dairy farmers.
Dr Daniel Lee, Acting Chief of Party, USAID's Entrepreneurs Project said, " The USAID's Entrepreneurs Project has not only inculcated entrepreneurship in the dairy sector, but also worked to increase milk production due to the adoption of best farm practices, promoted small enterprises in the form of input supply hubs, developed commercial milk marketing channels in the shape of instalment of milk chillers and instilled sustainability of the project through the improving the economic conditions of project beneficiaries." -PR
Comments
Comments are closed.