Livestock in agricultural development projects
NGO survey in Germany
In developing countries, the majority of people living in rural areas depend on agriculture (Upton 2004). There, small-scale livestock farming is the key to the livelihood of the rural population (Rota 2015). But how are animals doing in these countries, where people often lack bare necessities? What role do German non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play while they plan, implement or finance agricultural projects in developing and emerging countries?
To gain an insight into the current status of livestock use by German NGOs, Welttierschutzstiftung conducted a two-part survey in 2019 as part of the Animal Welfare in Development Cooperation programme: With the help of a qualitative preliminary study with ten representatives from politics, science and NGOs in Germany and a subsequent semi-standardized main survey in which 18 NGOs and the GIZ took part, it was determined whether major stakeholders in German development cooperation promote the use of livestock in agricultural projects. It was also of interest whether the use of livestock is accompanied by accompanying and mandatory measures for local partner organizations and livestock owners to ensure animal welfare - for example, through appropriate training, support with feed procurement or veterinary care. At the same time, three African project partners of WTS reported on the typical challenges faced in their countries when dealing with livestock in an animal-friendly manner.
Key findings of the survey
Almost all NGOs promote the use of livestock
The analysis of the current use of livestock in development projects of German NGOs has shown that 90% of the organizations surveyed use animals in their agricultural projects - although the proportion of livestock-related projects in the total number of projects varies greatly. In total, the NGOs surveyed support 233 livestock-related projects. All NGOs use poultry, closely followed by goats and cattle.
Animal welfare measures tend to run on the side
Apart from one exception, none of the organizations surveyed have specific, binding guidelines on livestock farming that local project partners and smallholder farmers must adhere to. Animal welfare measures are occasionally implemented by some NGOs, but these are not holistic concepts for the protection of animals. In turn, the partner organizations on the ground are seen as being primarily responsible for the design and implementation of the individual measures. Most of the NGOs therefore do not support the use of animals in terms of content, structure or monitoring. They often lack the necessary expertise and capacity to deal with this specific issue.
NGO guidelines for the welfare of farm animals conceivable
Just over half of those surveyed see potential for improvement in their own organization. For around two thirds, the introduction of NGO guidelines for the welfare of farm animals is conceivable under certain circumstances. In general, they would like to see guidance, instructions and simple procedures on the topic - both for themselves and for local partner organizations. Workshops for NGOs and donors, an exchange of experience with other NGOs and open discussions with the country offices, local project staff and partner organizations are further suggestions for deepening the topic.
Animal welfare also belongs on the development policy agenda
Around 80% of the respondents receive funding from German ministries for their livestock projects. The majority of the respondents either denied that there are corresponding guidelines from the ministries for the use of livestock in the funded development projects or commented that they were unknown. Accordingly, 95% of the NGOs also see it as the responsibility of the government and aligned ministries to pay more attention to the welfare of farm animals in development cooperation. One possibility is seen in binding standards by the donor, combined with a corresponding allocation of funding.
With this study and the challenges identified therein, WTS is making an important contribution to bringing the issue of animal welfare more into the focus of German development cooperation and incorporating the animal-friendly treatment of farm animals as a necessary part of sustainable, resource-conserving, smallholder agriculture.
Executive Summary (PDF, 371 KB)
Infographic with key findings (PDF, 1.557 KB)
Sources:
Rota, A. (2015): Smallholder Livestock Development. Scaling up note. Rome: IFAD.
Upton, M. (2004): The Role of Livestock in Economic Development and Poverty Reduction. Pro Poor Livestock Policy Initiative, Working Paper No. 10, Rome: FAO.