In December 2023, we launched a Request For Applications (RFA) targeting private sector entities (such as micro, small, medium, and large enterprises, cooperatives, and financial institutions) based in our target countries. The aim was to support the scaling of innovations in the livestock sector through a co-investment from the Livestock Systems Innovation Lab. Below, we provide brief descriptions of the selected initiatives:

Ethiopia: Scaling a Public-Private Partnership CCPP vaccine delivery model in the Konso Zone

With co-investment support from LSIL, a Public-private partnership (PPP) model to improve the delivery of timely and effective vaccines against contagious diseases, in particularly contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in goat herds will be scaled out to Konzo Zone. The primary clients of this innovation are pastoralist herders in remote areas of Konso, where access to veterinary services is limited. Through a partnership between government agencies, namely the National Veterinary Institute, federal and regional Ministry of Agriculture offices, private veterinary service providers and Smart Livestock Solutions (SLS), access for pastoralists to quality veterinary services will be improved, thereby increasing productivity, income stability, and resilience in these communities. Strengthening collaboration with local authorities is essential to enhance grassroots coordination and facilitating a transition from government-led vaccination programs to innovative franchise models in the Konso Zone.

In this PPP and under the leadership of Dr. Berhanu Admassu, SLS is the operational node that connects all partners. SLS was founded in 2020 and has tested the effectiveness of the approach at the pilot level in Borana zone of Oromia region. The past project implementation practice in Borana Zone demonstrated that collaboration with partners to develop a long-term sustainability plan, ensuring the continued impact of the PPP model and vaccine delivery interventions beyond the project timeline is crucial.

Nepal: Scaling out Rice Straw Plus production and marketing

The innovation is called ‘Rice Straw Plus’ (RSP), which is a feed formulation produced by upgrading rice straw using a combination of physical, chemical and biological treatment methods to improve digestibility and reduce methane emission at an affordable cost. The scaling partner is Maharanijhoda Small Farmer Agriculture Cooperative Limited (SFACL, https://www.maharanijhoda.com.np/about-us) based in Jhapa, Nepal. Maharanijhoda SFACL is a women’s cooperative with a membership of 2,189 women. Currently, SFACL runs different business units, each of which is managed by a female member of the cooperative. The RSP innovation was developed as part of ILRI’s SAPLING (https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/sustainable-animal-productivity) initiative. ILRI had contracted with SFACL to produce RSP required for SAPLING feeding trials. Intrigued by its potential, the cooperative decided to produce more than the trial required so some members could test it. Now convinced of RSPs many benefits and affordability, there is growing interest in this product that SFACL is well positioned to produce and market beyond its members.

Niger: Scaling out Fodder Cutters and Shredders

Here the private sector partner is Business House, a young innovative company in Niamey, Niger. The entrepreneur gained experience with building fodder shredders and straw cutters that grind/crush the stems of crop residues such as cereals (e.g., millet and sorghum) and legumes (e.g., peanuts and cowpeas) as contractor for donor funded projects. This kind of processing makes the feed more readily storable and transportable, and more easily digestible especially for small ruminants. The machines can be built to operate with either gas, electricity, or solar power. They are designed to be less complex and can be serviced locally by village mechanics as they are similar to the engines used in other equipment. He sees the growing market potential for such high-quality equipment, one that he could not meet without investment into better manufacturing machinery and better materials, making it possible to maintain high quality while bringing the selling price closer to the purchasing power of the clients. Clients include farmer associations, feed businesses, and NGOs.

Rwanda: Scaling up the Gabura Amata Mubyeyi Innovation in Rwanda

The innovation is a comprehensive across Rwanda who work to increase animal source food (ASF) consumption among vulnerable populations. The strategy is a scale out of the Gabura Amata Mubyeyi (“Parents, Give Milk”) SBC intervention originally developed by Three Stones International Rwanda (TSIR) that aimed to increase consumption of cow’s milk among children as part of a Phase I LSIL funded Reach project. The intervention was highly successful and USAID Orora Wihaze used and built on the approach in its programming. TSIR is now taking this successful SBC intervention and is scaling it — beyond just milk, beyond just children, and beyond just messaging — to create a more comprehensive and universally applicable SBC Strategy for actors — including market, development, and government actors — across Rwanda who use SBC to increase ASF consumption among vulnerable populations through market systems development approach. With Feed the Future Orora Wihaze, USAID’s ASF market systems strengthening project, ending, there is an opportunity to continue their ASF market systems work through this innovation, making this the perfect time to scale (and reinvent) the Gabura Amata Mubyeyi SBC intervention. The adapted Gabura Amata SBC Strategy will focus on three animal source foods: milk, eggs, and small fish/fish powder.

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