PROGRAMME INFORMATION

What are DFID’s aims?

DFID's aims are to improve the quality of life of people in poorer countries by contributing to sustainable development, thereby reducing poverty and suffering.  Efforts to increase food and agricultural production are implemented in a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable manner.  DFID's Natural Resources Research Strategy, implemented in 1989, through the Rural Livelihood’s Department (RLD) outlines the outputs which are to be obtained by the various centrally-funded research programmes commissioned to support DFID's aims.

What is the Animal Health Programme?

The Animal Health Programme (AHP) is one of the twelve DFID research programmes.  It is a competitive grants programme whose objectives are to increase the productivity and productive potential of agricultural systems through improvements in the supply and value of animal products and the contribution of livestock to crop production.  The primary purpose of the AHP is to eliminate poverty in poorer countries through sustainable development.

AHP interests include both strategic and adaptive research.  The AHP intends to support the research process from technical development to adaptation and promotion of research results, so that developmental benefits can be assessed clearly and implemented in target countries.  The AHP is managed by the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine (CTVM) on behalf of The University of Edinburgh.

The AHP expects proposals to address demand-led problems documented in national agricultural, livestock and environmental plans, and similar national and regional statements.  The problems should be rated as high priority by governments in developing countries.  Beneficiaries of the research should be clearly identified and, where appropriate, they should participate in the research.  The AHP encourages links between projects, and will consider joint funding with other DFID programmes or other donors.  A particular feature of the AHP is its close association with DFID's Livestock Production Programme with which it shares common goals.

Calls by AHP management for proposals are restricted to a small number of topics so that clusters of projects can concentrate resources on well-defined major problems.  Scrutiny of project proposals is stringent because programme funds are limited to approximately £1.5 million per year during 1997-2000.  Commissioned institutions must have the capability and motivation to carry through research to promotion and field implementation.

Beneficiaries of AHP projects must be identified in more than one country;  this distinguishes the AHP from bilateral research projects.  The AHP does not fund research associated primarily with academic postgraduate degrees, nor does it support study tours or attendance at conferences except where these are related to project activities.

Who may apply for AHP funds?

Institutions with a documented record of research related to tropical livestock health and production may submit proposals to the AHP.  Institutions in developing countries must be formally associated with a UK-based institution. Preferred host countries for AHP projects are:

• Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uganda.
• Asia - India

AHP projects will generally deliver outputs to and/or be carried out in these target countries.  If there are strong technical reasons for implementation in other countries, research results should be applicable in at least two of the above target countries.

Individual AHP projects normally run for a period of three years and have an average budget of about £50,000 - £70,000.

Should more than one specialisation be involved in each project?

Major problems are seldom resolved by a single research discipline;  an inter-disciplinary approach involving both health and production is more likely to be successful.  DFID's concern for demonstrable developmental benefit requires attention to the economic and social costs and benefits of research, as well as the assessment of impact on relevant stakeholders.  Consequently, an integrated approach involving biological, economic and social elements should be adopted by most projects.  The involvement of such a wide range of skills in any single project usually requires co-operation between partner institutions.

The AHP expects high standards of project planning and implementation, including the appropriate use of biometrics in experimental design and statistical analysis.  In the design and conduct of experiments an awareness of animal welfare should be clearly demonstrated.

Research themes are set by DFID's Natural Resources Research Strategy, adapted according to changing circumstances by AHP management.  In general, AHP focus on projects that contribute to the generation of benefits for poor people by improved management of livestock diseases.

Focusing on people and their livestock

AHP research must target appropriate groups of livestock keepers and livestock species for whom the Programme can have specific relevance.

Groups which are appropriate foci for AHP research:

• Moderately poor people owning/managing small numbers of livestock

 

• Displaced people (ecological, economic and political refugees) for whom livestock are an important component of livelihood

Appropriate livestock species for AHP research:

• small stock as part of a network of income generating activities

 

• larger stock, cattle and camels where they underpin livelihoods of poorer people

What documents are required?

The first-stage response to the AHP call for proposals is a short Concept Note, including a budget.  The second-stage response, following a successful concept note, is a full proposal (Project Memorandum) and logical framework. Supporting information should include confirmation of the importance given to the project's outputs and their relevance to natural resources sector plans.

When can applications be sent to AHP?

During the course of a project, quarterly and annual financial and technical reports are required as well as a final project report.  Projects may be subject to external monitoring and review.

Who to contact?

Further information may be obtained from:

DFID Animal Health Programme,

Easter Bush Veterinary Centre,

Roslin, Midlothian

EH25 9RG

Scotland

Tel: +44 (0131) 650-6287

Fax: +44 (0131) 650-7348

email: ahp@vet.ed.ac.uk

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Animal Health Programme pages constructed March 1998 (Designed and updated July 2000 by Lesley More)

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