number of herders and traders to transact approximately. 1 500 ruminants daily. Its enhanced infrastructure includes ded
Ministry of Agriculture
Al Dahrieh Livestock Market Brief KEY FACTS Impact: Vulnerable herders benefit from improved food security and resilience to natural and man-made shocks Resource partner: Canada Duration: 2 years © FAO/Marco Longari
The Al Dahrieh Livestock Market was established under the project “Emergency support to vulnerable herders through improved preparedness and response capacity to natural and man-made shocks and strengthening food security coordination”, to serve over 2 000 herders and the community of Al Dahrieh, Hebron. The Government of Canada joined forces with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture and Al Dahrieh Municipality to ensure that herder’s livelihoods and assets are protected and access to vital markets is increased. The Government of Canada provided USD 2.9 million to address urgent needs of herder communities and strengthen their resilience. In addition to the establishment of the livestock market (phase 2 out of 3 phases), the project delivered inputs, technical support and training to herders in establishing rainwater harvesting cisterns, rehabilitating and improving animal shelters and planting drought tolerant fodder seeds.
ADDRESSING KEY CHALLENGES Food security and livelihoods have been directly impacted by restrictions on the movement of people and goods and access to land and water. Small-scale farmers and herders are among the most vulnerable people to manmade or natural shocks in the West Bank. An FAO livelihood study found that herders in the West Bank earned an average of 17 ILS per day. Historically, Al Dahrieh has been a very important animal trading centre. Livestock prices determined in this area provided the reference for price determination in the entire West Bank. In the past, herders in Al Dahrieh traded their animals in a small, increasingly congested market with inadequate facilities to ensure compliance with hygiene, health and safety regulations. As a result, the market value of livestock was negatively affected and animals faced high risk of disease outbreaks.
INCREASED MARKET ACCESS The new livestock market provides a larger trading area, enhanced facilities and services to allow a much greater number of herders and traders to transact approximately 1 500 ruminants daily. Its enhanced infrastructure includes dedicated entry and veterinary inspection areas, separated covered shelters for individual traders, animal weighing equipment, a veterinary office and a veterinary pharmacy. All animals are inspected by a veterinarian before entering the trading area to minimize the risk of spreading animal diseases. In this way, the new market builds trust and increases trade, improves the market value of the animals and enhances food safety. The new market directly benefits 2 000 herders from Al Dahrieh Municipality who collectively own 33 000 ruminants, one of the biggest concentrations of livestock throughout the West Bank. Consumers in the southern West Bank get easier access to safer, local foods. In future, women-led businesses and cooperatives will be offered the opportunity to use the market to sell their traditional food products and establish stable business linkages with wholesale and retail traders.
The new market re-establishes Al Dahrieh as a leading livestock trading centre within the West Bank. The enhanced facilities and the veterinary controlled environment will help generate better prices for livestock and animal products in Al Dahrieh with positive economic spillovers throughout the West Bank. PARTNERSHIPS To unlock the potential of this market, FAO promoted partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture, Al Dahrieh Municipality and the herder communities, with critical support provided by the Government of Canada. The Ministry of Agriculture together with the Al Dahrieh Municipality, played a key role in the design and development of the project. Using the comprehensive Facility Management Manual prepared with support from FAO, the Al Dahrieh Municipality will manage the operations of the market in close coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, which oversee animal health and ensure functionality of veterinary services. The herders and community of Al Dahrieh will play a pivotal role in determining the success of the livestock market through their active engagement.
© FAO/Marco Longari
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the Government of Canada. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of Canada.
For further information please contact: Ciro Fiorillo, Head of Office, FAO WBGS. E-mail:
[email protected] Azzam Saleh, Head of Programme, FAO WBGS. E-mail:
[email protected]
© FAO, 2018 18654EN/1/2.18
