Descriptions

This research and development program follows on from 2 years of activity funded by Biovision, which focused on community engagement, understanding the opportunities and trade-offs of agroforestry systems for animal welfare and livelihoods in different regions. Silvopastoralism and Welfare for Animals (SAWA) works to further implement and scale the results of the previous projects. Phase I was critical to: form relationships with different beneficiary groups; gather objective data on livelihoods, animal welfare and environmental benefits of agroforestry in Ethiopia; test data collection and community engagement tools (community conversations modules); and develop participatory plans for Phase 2 of the project. Phase 2 puts these processes into action to create silvopastoral systems that deliver sustained benefits to people, animals and the environment over time. The project identifies and connects beneficiaries with value chains that are set to lead to livelihood improvements. It also embeds the concepts of animal welfare and agroforestry into extension system structure and policy framework. As a result, the concepts of agroforestry and animal welfare become a more mainstream concept and practiced well more often, all to the benefit of animal owners, their animals, and the surrounding environment. The project aims to sustainably improve and diversify livelihoods though enhanced adoption of silvopastoral and animal welfare strategies that create additional income and improve animal welfare and productivity.