Introduction:
The U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) is a USAID funded project which aims to improve the ability of Pakistan’s commercial agriculture and livestock sectors to compete in international and national markets in the four target product lines; meat, high value and off season vegetables, mangoes and citrus. AMD will act as a catalyst for development and investment in target product lines by actively promoting cooperation and coordination amongst the value chain actors and ancillary service providers. AMD’s implementation strategy is underpinned by a strictly commercial and market driven approach with a clear focus on strengthening market access for its partner organizations, and support international marketing and sales efforts. The objective of the AMD project is to encourage investments in the four target product lines through matching grants and technical assistance, and empower stakeholders by developing synergies among them to accomplish together what they cannot do alone. AMD will support upgrading, streamline supply chains, provide technical assistance to optimize profit margins, increase participation of women entrepreneurs, and ultimately help make Pakistani meat, high value and off season vegetables, mangoes and citrus become more profitable and competitive.
Background:
The main objective of the Development of backgrounding farms for increased sustainable production of in-demand meat animals to meet local and export linked feedlot requirements. AMD backgrounding grants and training program aim to encourage the development of backgrounding farms as business model for rearing after weaned male calves. These male calves may be sourced from dairy farms and rural farmers especially women headed household animal owners in the cluster of villages. The backgrounding calves will be produced on improved fodder sourced feeding regime with supplement concentrate feeding. The uniform lot of backgrounders will potentially market to feedlot at a certain age and weight to further grow and finish for retail and export requirements. The backgrounding business model will contribute to develop integrated meat supply chain and follow the models of modern animal management systems.
The Program:
The AMD project will deliver a series of trainings related to Backgrounding in Beef Production and is inviting applications from interested farmers/businesses with relevant background to participate in these trainings. These trainings will be held in Lahore and all arrangements will be made by AMD. For details please refer to the attached application form.