Herd Health Packages for Livestock
Practical Extension Tools for Livestock Health and Productivity
Supporting Farmers Through Best Practices
To strengthen the work of Veterinary Field Unit (VFU) staff and extension workers, DCA has developed a series of Herd Health Packages (HHPs). These packages provide both technical background for extension professionals and ready-to-use materials for effective farmer outreach.
The development of HHPs is led by DCA’s dedicated Extension Core Group, ensuring technical accuracy and field relevance.
A new Herd Health Package on Cashmere harvesting is currently under development. DCA aims to establish a comprehensive series of HHPs covering each major livestock species and farming system.
Available Herd Health Packages
- Small ruminants
- Large ruminants
- Poultry
- The role of women in livestock health and production
- Kuchi pastoralist systems
- Rural dairy extension
- Equine health and welfare
- Veterinary Public Health (VPH)
The VPH package focuses on awareness of zoonotic diseases, hygiene, food safety, meat inspection, and animal welfare. It addresses topics such as disease prevention, safe handling of animals, hygienic food preparation, and public health protection.
Language and Accessibility
Herd Health Packages are available in Dari and Pashtu, Afghanistan’s two national languages, making them accessible to the country’s major ethnic groups.
All DCA extension materials, including the HHPs, are freely available for use by other NGOs. Several organizations already apply these materials, and the Ministry of Public Health has also expressed interest in DCA’s Veterinary Public Health package.
Extension Materials and Methodology
- Fact sheets for (para)veterinarians to refresh knowledge
- Picture sheets designed for distribution to farmers
- Posters for group extension activities
Given that many farmers have limited literacy, the materials rely primarily on visual communication, using pictures and symbols. These visuals help farmers recognize disease symptoms, understand preventive measures, and know when to seek vaccination or treatment from their local VFU.