Farming in Uganda

In the UK, the Guardian and Observer newspapers are sponsoring a three-year development project in the sub-county of Katine in north-east Uganda, which is home to 25,000 people. The project is being implemented by two NGOs, AMREF (African Medical & Research Foundation) and Farm Africa. The Guardian's website (www.guardian.co.uk/katine) offers a fascinating insight into life in Katine and the project itself in addition to background articles on development issues. Of particular note are the videos which look at aspects of life in Katine.

One of these looks at the life of Paul Odongo, a farmer, who shows us around his 15 acre farm. This farm would be typical of the farms in the VIVA animal traction project in Koelie and it is interesting to note that he speaks of the importance of having bulls for ploughing.

Another video looks at the issue of distributing bulls to farmers for use in ploughing as an aid intervention. The main concern is that the bulls will be sold on by the recipients to generate some quick cash. However, it is important to note that on the VIVA project three factors make this highly unlikely. Firstly, prior to receiving oxen on our project the recipients must undertake a training course and build the necessary cattle-holding facilities to demonstrate their committment. Secondly, four families share a plough each family owning one oxen so there is a strong social pressure on each family to uphold their end of the bargain when ploughing time comes around. Lastly, each recipient family undertakes to provide another family in the community with the price of an ox within two years from the profits of the increased productivity on their farm. Again this militates against oxen being sold on.

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VIVA deliver AI training in Kosovo

VIVA have been involved with their Kosovar partner, Heifer Kosovo, since 1999 after the war there ended. VIVA's first intervention was to organise the importation of winter feed for livestock as the harvest was interrupted by the war. Since then VIVA has delivered training programmes in dairy cow management and pig husbandry in conjunction with Bothar, the Irish NGO which has organised livestock shipments to Kosovo.

At present VIVA is involved in an Artificial Insemination (AI) programme in Kosovo. This involves the training of AI technicians, the supply of semen straws and equipment and the subsisisation of the service to farmers. A VIVA team has just returned from a trip to Kosovo where they delivered a refresher training course for AI technicians. The course was delivered by Cork vet, Denis Healy and Brendan O'Connor, an AI technician with Munster AI. Over two days, in Vermice, the team covered AI techniques and various aspects of dairy cow fertilty and management. Practical training was carried out a local slaughterhouse in the city of Prizren. In addition, a dairy farm was visited to discuss dairy cow nutrition and management.

The AI programme is an essential component of Heifer Kosovo's dairy projects as it is playing a significant role in increasing the productivity of these cows. In addition, it is a vital service in some areas where there may not be adequate availability of bulls.

VIVA would like to thank Munster AI for their co-operation in this initiative, in particular, Brendan O'Connnor for giving his time and expertise, Anthony Cronin for his help in the shipments of semen straws and Dr. Doreen Corridan.



To view the pictures individually click here

Midland Showjumping donate €4000 to VIVA

Theresa Sheehy (Pat the Baker) and Brendan Mimnagh (VIVA) present the Pat the Baker Grand Final trophy to Harry Hughes

Mary Gannon, Brendan Mimnagh (VIVA), Mairead Higgins (Pat the Baker), Brian Gormley, Ann Gannon at presentation of cheque to VIVA in Granard

Following their recent summer shows, Midland Showjumping have donated all the entry fees from the four events to VIVA. At a recent function in Granard, Brian Gormley MRCVS, chairman of the Midland Showjumping Committee presented a cheque for € 4000 to VIVA's Brendan Mimnagh. VIVA would like to thank all the sponsors of the event as follows:

Oliver Glancy, Pat the Baker, Lady Georgina Forbes, Seamus Kane (Kane Motors), Ann Gannon, Mary Gannon, Olaf O'Neill (C & M Veterinary)

Pfizer support VIVA

(Pfizer Marketing Manager, Roy Geary (R) presents a cheque to Mike Burke of VIVA)

As part of their ongoing support to charities in the area of agriculture and animal welfare, Pfizer recently donated € 1500 to support VIVA's overseas programmes. VIVA was selected by the company's staff as one of three organisations to receive support in 2009. This type of support is vital to ensure the expansion of VIVA's livestock projects abroad and is greatly appreciated by VIVA.

VIVA Golf Classic

On August 7th, Tullamore Golf Club again hosted the annual VIVA Golf Classic. On one of this summer's few good days, over 30 teams competed for a host of prizes with Martin Bohan's team emerging victorious.

Since its inception in 2003, the event has built up a loyal following and has raised almost € 50,000 for VIVA's overseas projects.

VIVA would again like to thank Tony McManus for all his efforts in organising the Classic. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our main sponsors, Univet and C & M Vetlink.

(The winning team - L to R - Lar Lyons, John O'Connell, Martin Bohan, Pat Delahunty)

The Burren 100

On Saturday last, the "VIVA Wheelers" headed for Clare for their latest cycle challenge, a 100km sprint through the Burren! Over 50 cyclists took part on what was one of the sunniest weekends of the year. Starting in Ballyvaughan, the route took the cyclists to Corofin, Ennisdymon, Lahinch, Doolin , the Cliffs of Moher and finally, a spectacularly scenic finish along the coastal route to Ballyvaughan. A dinner in the Hylands Burren Hotel capped what was a perfect day.

The event will raise over € 16,000 for VIVA's livestock projects overseas and due to its success it is hoped to make this an annual event moving around Ireland each year to a different venue. This will compliment our overseas cycle challenges.

VIVA would like to thank our sponsors, Sioda Interiors (Dundalk) and Paddy O'Donoghue of Veterinary Instruments Ltd, (Ballyvaughan). We'd also like to thank the members of the Burren Cycling Club who accompanied us on the route. The event was organised by Irish Cycling Safaris.

To register your interest for future VIVA Wheelers events contact mike@viva.ie



These photos may also be viewed on our online album

Ciaran Gobl Leaves Nepal

(Ciaran with Billy, a Boer cross buck)

This month, Longford vet Ciaran Gobl, our representative in Nepal, finished his one year placement. Building on the work of his predecessor, Susan Griffin, Ciaran has been instrumental in ensuring the successful implementation of our project there in conjunction with our partner, AHTCS. VIVA would like to wish Ciaran the best of luck with his travels and below we reprint the farewell post from his blog (http://www.vivanepal.blogspot.com/).

"Nepal in a nutshell"

Over the past year I have had the extraordinary opportunity to live and work in Nepal as VIVA’s representative. I have gained some valuable experience in livestock programmes in a developing country, from managing an NGO to working with some very talented people, all of whom carry the torch for Nepal’s future. I have also had the chance to share my experiences with some very enthusiastic farmers and veterinary technicians alike. However, I still feel that I have gained more from my time here that I was ever able to give.

It is hard to imagine that I have been living in one of the poorest countries in the world. The generosity of the people in Nepal would put many of us at home to shame and with the soaring Himalayas as a backdrop, it most surely is one of the richest countries for natural beauty. But when you spend a period of time off the beaten track, you begin to understand how difficult it is to eek out a living on a small plot of land in a country that’s 60% mountainous and very densely populated.

Poor governance and corruption are replacing the Maoist insurgency as the single biggest factor holding this country back from development. And at a time when this tiny nation should be jumping on the back of the Indian and Chinese economic bandwagon, it is struggling to settle petty internal squabbles. With all these pseudo issues, it is the people who have been forgotten, especially the 2.2 million people who are suffering from hunger at this moment. It is when you meet the man in the field that you see where our resources must go.

Our programmes are aimed at improving agriculture through technical expertise and women empowerment. Livestock are at the heart of our projects because of their importance in providing food security, animal traction and socio-economic status. I have seen the differences we can make and will do my utmost to show everyone I meet what an impact we can have.
I am regretfully leaving Nepal, but I will take such fond memories that there will always be a part of me left here. I hope to return someday soon to help develop future projects and to evaluate the ones we have in place. I also hope that I can use my experience in other countries and will be a VIVA ambassador for many years to come. I have certainly broadened my horizons and Nepal has taken my outlook on life by the shoulders and given it a very serious shaking up. It has been a pleasure.

Thank you.

Ciarán.