The tool box consists of nine sections (A – I) dealing with: the local context, investments in the formal or in-formal market, investment in improving the dairy production system, and investments in services and dairy processing. Starting from section A and following the guiding questions, the tool box can be used as a general planning tool for development of the dairy sector. Alternatively, entries can be made under specific sections (e.g. section D – public investments in breeding services). The tool box will then guide the planner and adviser to consider if investments are advisable within this specific topic.
Within each section the tool box includes:
· Questions and criteria to determine if it is advisable to engage in dairy development
· Questions and criteria to determine what should be the type of public investments
· Questions and criteria to determine how to engage in dairy development
Reference is also made to studies; examples and experiences which could provide more information and guide the decision makers on how to engage in dairy development and it includes examples of terms of reference for studies to be undertaken to assess the local situation. The examples included are for inspirations only. Land tenure is a critical factor influencing smallholders’ ability to gain a living from dairy development. In the tool box, availability of land is considered, but more specific guidelines on land tenure systems and dairy development are not included. Changing of land tenure systems is a highly political as well as technical field which falls outside the scope of the tool box. Specific technical information has also not been included in the tool box. This information is available e.g. from the World Bank, ILRI and FAO, and some more general references have therefore been included under references.
What to do and how to do it will always be country and situation specific. The present toolkit will provide possible interventions and tools intended as a checklist for the users. It will hopefully help to identify the circumstances crucial for success or failure and make judgments and decisions on which interventions to choose and whether or not to invest in dairy development.
