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About DCA

Helping the Afghan people through their livestock fghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 36% of the population below the poverty line. Of the 35.5 million Afghans, about 24 million are living in the countryside, being more or less dependent on agriculture and livestock.

Address:

  • Street # 5 of Syloo, House # 152-153, District 3, Kabul, Afghanistan
  • info.afg@dca-af.org
  • Sun - Thu: 8.00 AM to 4.00 PM

VFUs

What are VFUs?

DCA’s trust, access and reach to the communities has been built very well among local leaders and customary institutions in the districts and villages of Afghanistan due to the presence of VFUs. Any kind of intervention can be done through more than 1,000 VFUs nationwide. DCA has also established more than 3,000 male and female basic veterinary workers that serve farmers, pastoralists, and women poultry farmers at small scale levels. A VFU is a location at community level, staffed by one or more veterinary para-professionals (paravets). VFUs are established in the house of a staff member or in a rented premises. Each VFU is equipped with veterinary kits, vaccines and medicines, a solar powered cold chain system, a motorbike, furniture, cattle crush, and signboard. With its projects, DCA aims to cover a large part of Afghanistan. From 2014 through 2018, DCA supported the livestock owners in 30 out of 34 provinces, thus almost nationwide. Since then, regretfully, the geographical scope has diminished to 19 provinces, due to the ending of two large projects.

Technical Support

VFU staff require technical backup for 1 to 2 years to become established within their community. In the first year following graduation they receive medicines and vaccines as in-kind support. Each month, a DCA facilitator visits the VFU to provide guidance and coaching. This facilitator also gathers the monthly vaccination and medication data for the records and visits the farmers the VFU serves. In addition, he discusses the need for refresher courses to extend the knowledge and skills of the VFU staff, and to expand the range of services if needed. DCA offers a diverse array of 1- to 2-week refreshers courses to VFU staff.

Selection of VFU Location

The location of a new VFU is determined by the local livestock population and the presence of other VFUs. The distance between neighbouring VFUs should be at least 15 kilometres, and the livestock population served by a VFU be on average 25,000 head. Ideally a VFU is located in a district centre or in the centre of a cluster of villages. If possible, the location is close to a livestock market. Several VFUs are located along Kuchi migration routes and near their summer and winter locations, to serve the Afghan pastoralists.

Selection & Training VFU of Staff

Selection of appropriate candidates for staffing a VFU is key for a successful veterinary service delivery. Candidates should be motivated, be from the community, and preferable have a grade 10 schooling. It is important that the community leaders, the Shura, support their candidacy. The local Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock should also approve the candidate. Once selected, the candidate receives a paravet training course of 24 weeks. After five months of paravet training (theory and practice) the graduate is ready to run his own VFU.

Extension by VFU Staff

Each VFU establishes an extension group of at least ten livestock owners in two villages. Extension activities by VFUs have dual benefits. First they promote the activities of the VFUs and increase the number of clients. In addition, extension improves the awareness of the farmers and thus enhances family food security and income.

VFUs in 2021

Since 2020, DCA supports 600 VFUs all over Afghanistan. In addition, 200 VFUs are supported by other NGOs, e.g. Relief International, Madera, Agha Khan Foundation, and the Afghanistan Veterinary Association.

One Logo for All VFUs

For a better recognition of all VFUs in Afghanistan and for marketing purposes, in 2008 a universal VFU logo was developed. This logo replaced the regional NGO logos that were formerly in use