Sustaining and Improving local Livelihoods In Burao By Developing and Creating

Production Training, Employment Opportunities and Support Services:

Project Name: Developing Training and Employment Opportunities:

Appealing Agency: Camel Livestock Animal Support Services (CLASS)

Contact Persons : Mohamed Muae Qasal

Tel: 435 33 92
Email: classdevelopment@gmail.com

Dr. Ali Ahmed Elmi

Tel: + 715 474
Mob: + 4431 757
Email: vetcollege.haydar@gmail.com

1-Brief Introduction.

Burao is the regional capital of Togdher and the second largest city in Somaliland. Burao
was and, still is, a major LS trade centre or route in the region and services many pastoral
communities and LS producers, Pastoralists, in various eastern regions. Due to this long
standing relations and connections with rural pastoralists, Burao is attracting many
failing/former pastoralists and rural communities. As well as many struggling and least
well of pastoral families who rear small LS not far from the city, and few LS husbandry
activities.

As a result, Burao’s population is rapidly increasing and anecdotal information/evidence

indicates that its population is between 250-350 thousand people. Most local families
and households are jobless, unemployed and struggling in more ways than one. Some
estimates indicate 80 percent unemployment rate. Needless to say, there are no
meaningful social support services what so ever.

2-Context

This farm/fodder employment training scheme is exploring ways of providing

skilled production workers for local producers and increased
production/availability of animal feed resources in the Burao. This project is
targeting the most neglected sector and vulnerable groups/communities that
include: poor urban dwellers, failing pastoralists and LS husbandry farms in
Burao livelihood zone. Burao and its surrounding areas constitute the eventual
target areas in which this project intervention aimed to focus. This region is
mainly dependent on pastoral livestock (LS) production and had experienced
persistent drought condition that triggered an alarming feed/fodder shortage high
number of failing LS producers felt by these communities. In addition, Togdher is
one of the most neglected/isolated regions and structurally vulnerable setting
within Somaliland. This is why the target region/area lagged behind in terms of
general infrastructural development and access to basic services. The project will
put spotlight on creating employment opportunities and saving livelihood assets
through the provision of hands on feed production training for local stakeholders
(SH).

The target population is affected by localized drought situation which prompted

high jobless figures and critical shortages of animal feed/folder as result of
complete or partial failure of past rainy seasons, which has reduced quantity and
quality of available feed resources in the region. Compounded by unwarranted
programming biases by development and authority institutions against local
producers’ basic needs and priorities.

The following problems are already in effect or expected to take a tighter grip on
the target community in the near future if situation is not addressed:

• Severe and increased shortage of skilled farm production workers and

support services for local fodder/fruit/vegetable producers in Burao, Togdher.
• High unemployment rates and livelihood uncertainties among the local youths
and stakeholders (SH)
• The expensive folder/grass siphoned large portion of the family budget and
may result sales of productive assets
• Possible out break of livestock diseases due to lack of feed/folder and
nutrition, Camels in particular, which require large quantities of feed and are
vital for pastoralists way of life.
• Massive immigration of local workforce due to complete lack of opportunities
in the region, particularly for those who had no former education and failing
rural pastoralists..

3. Interventions

3.1 Objectives

Main goal
The overall goal of the project is to tackle and address lack of skilled farm
production workers, fodder shortages and high jobless rates in the region
(Togdher), youths in particular.

Specific objectives
• Develop and create practical/vocational training scheme and employment
opportunities respectively for local SH in Burao.
 • Provide fodder and farm production placements/attachments and technical
support services to local frams and producers such as Maandeeq
livestock farm (MLF) and two others in Burao
• Help with relevant and appropriate farming equipment and assistance
• Improve present local producers’ capacity, knowledge, know-how, skills
and ability to further develop and expand AFR production in future.
• Improve health condition of Livestock/Animals and reduce vulnerability to
diseases due to lack of nutrition through provision of adequate AFR
availability.

3.2 Project strategy

The project will and intent to deploy two parallel components or approaches to ensure
local availability and increased production of relevant affordable feed and mineral
resources for LS and local SH in the region.

3.2.1-The project will support and engage present local feed producers in and around
Burao, Maandeeq in particular, through the provision of Dry-Land Farming expert
attachment/s and appropriate technical inputs- equipment, water and irrigation systems
etc.

In return for project support, selected producer/s will be required to sell discounted or
subsidized quantity of harvested feed to local SH. As well as exploring schemes to
provide free feed to most poor families/communities during distress periods.

3.2.2-The project will also support, engage and encourage above local producers to
develop and explore ways of importing affordable and appropriate animal feed and
mineral resources, if and when possible.

CLASS will sign a MOU with all local farms/producers. The following are
highlights of the implementation procedure:

• CLASS will recruit experienced program staff and select potential

production trainees.
• Facilitate deployment and attachment of trainees to local partners.
• Procurement and availability of all required and relevant
farming/production resources and inputs.
• Set up a Steering Group (SG) from relevant SH to guide and advice on all
project delivery and implementation activities.
• CLASS will lead project co-ordination mechanisms and promotion
activities.
• CLASS will engage and encourage College of Animal Science (CAS) of
University of Burao (UB) professionals to lead and be part of the Steering
Group (SG) of this program.
• A total of two/three local AFR producers will be supported/assisted, 100-
 200 percent increase in present cultivated land- 16 hectors more in MLF’s
case, help 100-200 poor pastoral and urban households with discounted
AFR.
• CLASS will ensure the smooth management/running of the project and
resolving of any problems and disputes.

The project will start its core activities with preparation of contract agreement and
Memoranda of Understanding with all local farmers or producers.

The local leaders/authorities and regional administrations of the target areas

were met and consulted during proposal development. They will therefore be
involved in the SG in monitoring of the project delivery and implementation so
that all stakeholders participate and ensure transparency of this vital program.

3.3 Assumption and Risk analysis.

• Timely recruitment deployment of staff and trainees.
• Project funds are secure and arrive on scheduled time frame.
• Optimum collaboration by local farmers/producers, trainees, the
community and relevant other local stakeholders.

3.4 Project location:

Project main target sites or fodder/fruit producers (3) are located out skirts of
Burao, around 5-7 Kilometers. As well as resource and study support centre in
down town Burao.

3.5 Project Partners

(CLASS) will enter into detailed Memorandum of Understanding detailing their

specific roles. CLASS will manage and facilitate training field placements and
centre studies. Farming and production groups will be responsible in delivering
and implementing practical training opportunities for trainees. These local
partners are:
• Maandeeq Livestock Farm (MLF)
• Barud Production group..
• Ali Qoys Farm

3.6 Expected results of the projects

• Increased number of skilled farm production workers

 • Improved training and employment opportunities for local youths
and SH
• Increased AFR productivity by local producers. Enhancement of
animal nutrition in Burao districts and localities.
• Knowledge and skills transfer to local stakeholders and
workforce.

4. Human and material resources to be involved

4.1 Human Resources in the field

1. Program Developer (PD) The PD will guide and oversee the entire AFR
production training/attachments activities with support from the Resources
and Admin. Officer (RAO). PD will develop practical or applicable farming
and AFR production training scheme for local youths and SH. Give expert
guidance/advice to all relevant local SH, particularly AFR producers and
trainees. Monitor the progress of the project and record its impact on local
farming production and workforce.

2. Resource and Admin Officer (RAO): The RAO will be charged with the
responsibility of documenting all payments incurred during the project.
Preparation of financial supports services, contracts and procurement of
all project items/equipment.. The PA will also ensure that the centre is well
resourced and costs match allocated budget lines.
3. Farm Production Teacher/Trainer (FPT): The FPT will develop relevant
and appropriate practical and theory training sessions on both the field
and resource centre. PFT will closely liaise with PD and local
producers/hosts.

4. Centre Security/Service Officer (CSO): CSO Will be in charge of securing

and servicing resource centre at all times. CSO will ensure safe keeping
of all property belonging to the centre and CLASS.

4.2 Calendars and Action Plan

The project will start as soon as the funds are made available or approved, and
will run for two year.

Year-1

Activities M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10 M11 M12

Preparation,recruitstaf
f and SG

4.3 Total Cost of the Project

The total project cost requested from OCHA’s HRF =
/VETAID/Community contribution =
Total amount of the project =

4.4 Linkages/Complementarities with other related activities in the area

CLASS in partnership with UB and other local organisations developed and
submitted program proposals to increase and improve fodder/AFR production in
Togdher, Burao in particular, to various development institutions. These
proposals are designed and intended to tackle and address severe shortages of
fodder/feed resources in the region due to multiple factors and problems.

The proposed project also complements other ongoing efforts by partner

groups/agencies such as MLF, BEER Cooperative, UB and FAO among others in
the region. Proposed intervention/s will jointly go a long way towards increased
AFR production, availability of skilled local farm workers and engaging all
relevant local SH in more ways than one. The project will strengthen local
capacity for livestock service delivery and response to local priority needs/issues.
This is particularly so to ensure feed availability and reduce recent exponential
increases in fodder/feed prices which are beyond the means of most local SH.

4.5 Coordination/ Cooperation with other actors providing assistance in

the area
CLASS/UB will facilitate and organise monthly Coordination Meetings and
increase their activities and interventions in the region. CLASS will also engage
and encouraged relevant programs and institutions to support and link with local
groups and organisations in the region.
5. Monitorin

Planed Measurable Means of Important Actual outputs Date of

project indicators verification assumptions or achievements verification
objective
s or
activities
Purpose Number of local UB field Approval and Improved access At end of the
HH and animals monitoring, disbursement and availability to project duration
that benefited assessments of the project AFR for local SH
from discounted and progress fund.
AFR service report. Sustained
program Recruiting and livelihood due to
SG monthly obtaining a increased and
Number of local monitoring and knowledgeable availability of
AFR producers reports and experienced AFR by MLF and
will be serviced by dryland farming other producers
the program and AFR prod.
expeprt
Availability of
adequate and
affordable AFR in
dry seasons for
local SH

Output Improve the UB supervision, Availability of Quality and Monthly

capacity of local monthly reports suitable and variety of AFR delivery report
AFR producers to and monitoring appropriate production and
increase feed seeds, fertilizer mineral resource progress report
production for 10s Delivery log and equipment
LS projects and sheets Cheaper and UB and SG
1000s of HH Proper availability of field monitoring
Goats in Burao SG monitors coordination and AFR for local
supervision of all vulnerable and
Increased AFR project poor local SH in
production and stakeholders. Burao.
availability of LS
mineral links and
resources

Activities CB and supporting UB monitoring Procurement of Better access monthly

MLF and other reports relevant AFR and availability of monitoring
AFR producers. production affordable AFR record
SG monthly needs and for most poor SH
Increased local and CLASS equipment Monthly and
AFR production quarterly midterm
Availability of AFR reports supervision
in dry seasons for reports and
1000s of HH progress
Goats, various LS reports
projects and other.

Know-how and
 skills transfer of
AFR production

5.2-Indicators for Monitoring

The following indicators have been foreseen to ensure the success of the project:

Result One: Increased availability of skilled local farm production workers

and employment opportunities in Burao.
Monitoring Indicator:
- Number of trainees targeted by this program (90 in total)
- Compare target number Vs Actual number trained/completed.
- Number of trainees employment after finishing training.

Result One: Increased local feed resource production by assisted producers in

Burao.
Monitoring indicator
- Number of farms or groups assisted by the project.
- Comparing amount of feed produced during project vs amount produced
previous year by targeted local producers.

Result Two: Improved availability and accessibility of farm produces and AFR
feed at household level in the region
Monitoring indicator:
• Number of households receiving/accessing cheaper feed resources in the
identified neighbourhoods and pastoral areas in Burao/Togdher

Result Three: Increased availability of affordable feed resources at local markets

in the Burao during dry seasons and distressed periods
Monitoring indicator:
• Price of folder/grass at local markets and outlets.

Result Three: Contributing towards healthier and better nutritional conditions of

livestock leading to improving productivity and livelihoods among the identified
beneficiaries
Monitoring Indicator:
• Improved milk output from HH goats which will go a long in feeding children
and others in serviced HH.
• Increased income for local livestock producers and owners in Burao
• Decreased number of weak or mal-nutrished livestock/animals in targeted
areas.
• Number of local trainees received practical feed production training and
know-how from the program. As well as local employment posts created by the
program.

The PD will conduct random field visits to the project area/s to monitor and
assess the project implementation. Farms and trainees will be required to record
and log all day-to-day activities using the following forms:

Service Delivery Form: This form will collect basic information from the
beneficiary communities and projects, including name, location, type of
assistance/inputs received. The Coordinator and SG will conduct random checks,
manageable number, to verify information in these forms..

Activity Log Sheets: These forms will be filled by local producers to record all
activities carried out by trainees and program staff during field attachments and
attachment respectively..

LOG IN/OUT BOOK/Register: All project staff must log in and out time started
and finished work every day either in person or contacting PD/Office staff.

6- BACKGROUND INFORMATION of UB and Partner/s.

University of Burao (UB)

UB is a higher educational institution in Burao, Togdher and was established in

2004. UB has four main departments/colleges with hundreds of students and
directly employs around 80 staff. UB is currently managing and closely involved
with various private sector (PS) and development programs or institutions in the
region such as Maandeeq Livestock Farm/Husbandry, Dahabshiil, UNDP, EDC,
GA, CLASS and many others.

The College of Animal Science (CAS) was recognized as the main VET body in
Somaliland and already produced 23 AH Graduates in 2009, and few other lots in
the pipeline. CAS is currently in the process of setting up a Husbandry Course as
well. CAS had also implemented a tree planting project with German Agro (GA)
and currently developing AH and AFR production programs with few local
organisations, MLF and CLASS in particular. In all programs there are three
significant elements to such activities:

a)Supporting and assisting the development of local livestock rearing and feed
production groups in partnership with relevant regional SH, local or otherwise.

b)Building the capacity of local organisations to facilitate projects and initiatives

at all levels that improve livestock development, sustainable livelihoods and their
ability to maintain activities in the long run

c)Create local field placement/training opportunities for CAS students and

increase chances of securing appropriate employment for both CAS students
and relevant local SH in future. As well as attracting adequate development
resources, financial and technical assistance, for isolated local
groups/organisations in the present absence of meaningful development and
authority institutions in the region, Togdher.

UB has gained sound and valuable experience in responding to basic priority

needs and issues of local SH. For example, UB developed some training for work
programs for local youths/SH in areas of Business, education and IT sectors
which were funded by EDC. Therefore, CAS will like to extend similar
programs/support for local livestock SH particularly for local LS, milk and
fruit/food producers. Due to persistent rain failures in the region since 2005, UB
had organised couple of local fund raising activities to relief distressed rural
pastoralists in Togdher in 2005-7. CAS is also in current discussions with MLF,
via CLASS, to consider extending its free watering scheme, which stopped
recently (OCT), for poor local pastoral households in the area due to last rain
(Deyr) failure.

Since 2005, CAS has also carried out various livestock promotion and advocacy
activities with livestock/pastoral lobby forums/groups. This complements UB work
as it has a key role in sustaining and maintaining pastoral LS sector/producers
and SH in the longer term.

CLASS and MLF

Unlike most organisations in Togdher, both these local SH are tackling and
addressing core LS and Pastoral needs and issues. MLF heavily invested in
Camel rearing/milk production activities and this is the only group which
succeeded in producing various LS feed resources in the region despite the local
problems/odds against such projects and without external support/assistance.

CLASS was established to tackle and address lack of basic LS services in the
region and help local LS SH. Since May, CLASS managed the following:

-Facilitated MLF free watering scheme for tenths of pastoral HH and thousands
of livestock. Saved lives and livelihood assets of poor pastoralists
-Engaged and encouraged many local groups and organistions
-Conducted baseline and field LS and related surveys and studies in Burao
neighbourhoods and Kabadhere area.
-Developed quality and appropriate program proposals based on survey findings
and local needs
-Presented surveys and proposals to relevant regional, development and
authority institutions.
-Conducted lobby campaigns to pressure key ministers and officials in Hargeisa.
-Managed to convince and influence both CAS and UB management to take a
lead role in supporting and pushing developed proposals.
-Willingness to develop and create basic LS service and generate sustainable
businesses for vulnerable local families and HH in Burao
-CLASS facilitated practical field training sessions for CAS students on AH,
nutrition and feed related activities.
-Unlike other local ngos, CLASS deployed practical strategies and adopted
transparent approach in managing programs/activities which convinced CAS to
joint forces.

7. Budget:

Budget for Developing AFR production Training and Job Opportunities in Burao, Togdher.
Year1 3%
Unit cost No. No. Total cost inflation Year2 Total Grand
. Item $ units months $ for Yr2 Costs $ Total $
1. Personnel

1.1 Program Developer ( Full-Time) 2,000 1 12 24,000 1.03 24,720

1.2 Resources+Admin. Officer (F/T) 600 1 12 7,200 1.03 7,416
1.3 Farm Production Trainer (P/T) 1,200 1 12 14,400 1.03 14,832
1.4 Security Guard (F/T) 200 1 12 2,400 1.03 2,472

Sub-total personnel costs

2. Project Inputs N/A
2.1- Basic Subsistence Allowance 100 45 4 18,000 18,000
(Food, Accommadation and Allow.)
2.2-Ten computers 1,000 10 10,000
2.3-Three (3) Printers 400 3 1,200
2.4-Photocopier 1,000 1 1,000
2.5-Desks 14 100 1,400
2.6-Chairs 20 50 1,000
2.7-Filling cabinets 6 100 600
2.8-Large table 500 2 1,000

Sub-total project inputs

3. Running+Administration costs
3.1 Communication - email/phone/fax 300 12 3,600 3,708
3.2-Office rent 500 1 12 6,000 6,180
3.3-Stationary 300 12 3,600 3,708
3.4 Managing committee/s costs 3,000 2 6,000 6,180
3.5-Training Materials/Rresources 100 1 12 1,200 1,236
Sub-total agency administration

4. Transport & storage costs

4.1 Vehicle rent 1,200 1 12 14,400

4.2 Fuel 10 1 12X30d 3,600

Sub-total transport & storage costs

Subtotals

5. Contingency @ 2%

6. Total
7. Money Transfer costs (1.5%)
8. Total

The total amount of funds requested from Donor is .