Small ruminants in development: the heifer project international experience in Asia

摘要

For more than half a century, Heifer Project International (HPI), a charitable organization headquartered in Little Rock, AR, has been providing livestock and training in animal husbandry and sustainable agriculture to developing areas throughout the world. Since 1944, more than four million families have been assisted. More than 20 different kinds of food- and income-producing animals have been provided for communities and families in over 110 countries worldwide. Annually, HPI has projects in approximately 40 countries. Intensive training in animal husbandry, environmentally sound animal agriculture practices and community development are all part of HPI's program. HPI has had a long history with using small ruminants, from sheep and goats to llamas and alpacas, around the world. Small ruminants are of a most convenient size and prolificacy for the small holders that HPI typically partners with, and they are among the most diverse and multipurpose of all livestock species. In Asia, HPI uses small ruminants in development programs in the People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Thailand, India, Sri l,anka. Nepal. Bangladesh, Victnam and Indonesia. All of these programs are with limited resource families living in marginal, rural conditions. The programs are geared toward increasing peoples' income and nutritional status, while enhancing their dignity and benefitting the ecology.