FAO e-TCP for ASF

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

Title:	Emergency technical assistance to minimize risks and impacts of African swine fever (ASF) in Bhutan
TCP symbol:	TCP/BHU/3905
Recipient country/ies:	Bhutan
Government counterpart(s):	Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
Expected EOD (start date):	September 2023
Expected NTE (end-date):	September 2024
Contribution to government priorities/SDGs:	Country Programming Framework(s) Output(s): Strategic direction for inclusive agriculture development and leadership strengthened through evidence–based policy, planning, and investment approach. Food self-sufficiency and nutrition security are enhanced. Enabling carbon-neutral, climate and disaster-resilient RNR sector and farming communities UNSDCF: Outcome 1: By 2028, Bhutan has sustainable and diversified economic growth, decent employment and livelihoods, and shared prosperity. Outcome 2: By 2028, people in Bhutan benefit from strengthened quality, inclusive, and lifelong social services and practices. Outcome 3: By 2028, Bhutan’s environment remains sustainably managed and its people are more resilient to disaster risks and climate change. FAO Strategic Framework (2022-31): PPA-BL3: Agriculture and food emergencies -50% (SDG Indicators 1.5 and 2.1). PPA-BP3: One Health -30% (SDG indicator 1.5 or 2.1). PPA-BL4: Resilient agri-food systems -15% (SDG indicator 1.5). PPA-BN2: Nutrition for the most vulnerable -5% (SDG indicator 1.5 or 2.1)
Total budget:	USD 250, 000

EXPECTED RESULTS

IMPACT	The livelihood and food security of the people of Bhutan are preserved amidst the threats of African swine fever
OUTCOME	Risks and impacts of African swine fever on food security and livelihoods in Bhutan are reduced through improved animal health capacities in prevention, detection, and response
Indicator	Baseline	Target	Means of Verification	Assumptions
Percent of targeted communities/districts that adapt biosecurity practices based on agreed biosecurity interventions	There have been limited biosecurity interventions conducted on ASF in targeted communities/districts	70% of targeted communities/districts adopt biosecurity interventions	Biosecurity assessment results	The willingness of farmers to participate in the community biosecurity programme. Support from the government in piloting the biosecurity programme.
OUTPUT 1	Enhanced mechanism to coordinate and deliver responses for ASF outbreaks, including risk communication
Indicator	Baseline	Target	Means of Verification	Assumptions
Number of National ASF Prevention and Control Plans revised and updated	The National ASF Prevention and Control Plan was developed in 2021	1 National ASF Prevention and Control Plan revised and updated	Meeting report Progress report Updated NASFPCP document	Participation from government counterparts and stakeholders to review and accept the revisions made.
Number of risk communication plans developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders	There has been no recent risk communication plan developed on ASF	1 risk communication plan developed based on KAP analysis	Developed a risk communication plan Progress report	Cooperation from partners to be actively involved in the consultation process.
ACTIVITIES for achieving Output 1
Title	Description
1.1 Review and update as necessary the National ASF Prevention and Control Plan 2021	The Department of Livestock will organize consultation meeting with relevant stakeholders with support from the FAO to review and update the National ASF Prevention and Control Plan (NASFPCP 2021). ASF focal point of the Department of Livestock will compile comments from the consultation and apply changes as necessary with technical support from FAO (BT and RAP). The Department of Livestock will submit the updated NASFPCP for endorsement by the Ministry with support from the FAO-CO
1.2 Develop a risk communication plan based on baseline data gathered	Guided by the LTO, a communication expert will conduct a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) study to determine the level of awareness of different intended stakeholders regarding the prevention and control of ASF. The communication expert will also facilitate a risk communication planning workshop where the results of the KAP study will be shared and used as a basis for developing a strategic communication plan which will include the identification of messages for different intended audiences and the best communication channel to convey information.
1.3 Enhance awareness of the targeted population including animal health professionals, farmers, consumers, border control officers, and other key stakeholders on ASF prevention and control	FAO RAP has various ASF awareness materials in English. FAO RAP ASF team with support from the FAO country office will translate ASF awareness materials (videos, posters, social media info-cards) into the local language. FAO country office, in consultation with the LTO, will initiate procurement of the creation of video dubbing, printing posters for smallholder pig farmers, and other awareness materials as appropriate.
OUTPUT 2	Improved national (and sub-national) capacities to detect and respond to ASF outbreaks
Indicator	Baseline	Target	Means of Verification	Assumptions
Number of targeted laboratories participating in the regional PT program for swine diseases	Only the National Center for Animal Health participates in the PT program for swine diseases namely ASF, CSF, and PPRS	PT for ASF and other swine diseases is regularized PT for swine diseases within the laboratories in the country is initiated	Reference laboratory report Progress report	Laboratory staff and the government actively participate in the laboratory programme. Funding available.
Enhanced laboratory capacity to support rapid detection of ASF at National and Regional Veterinary Laboratories	Only the NCAH has ASF confirmation capacity using RT-PCR	Establish PCR facility in the Eastern region and equip rapid detection test kits to the other laboratories	Reference laboratory report Progress report	Laboratory staff and the government actively participate in the laboratory programme.
Number of events organized by the project to support the capacity for field animal health professionals on ASF detection and response	There is no regular training on ASF detection and response for the field officials in the country	At least 3 events organized:	Training report Simulation exercise report Progress report	Cooperation from the government and other stakeholders in nominating, supporting, and participating in the organized events.
ACTIVITIES for achieving Output 2
Title	Description
2.1 Conduct risk assessment along the pig value chain to identify high-risk nodes for targeted interventions	Identified experts from the Ministry, guided by the LTO, will conduct key informant interviews and data collation and analysis to assess risk along pig value chain in Bhutan and identify high-risk nodes/critical control points which can be a basis for surveillance and intervention plan.
2.2 Provide support for Bhutan to participate in existing regional proficiency testing programme for swine diseases including ASF	National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), as a national laboratory to detect ASF in Bhutan with molecular technique, enroll in the regional proficiency testing programme for swine diseases organised by FAO RAP in collaboration with Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP). If further sequencing is needed, the NCAH will ship the samples to reference laboratories including ACDP, Australia with the support from FAO country office/project.
2.3 Provide laboratory capacity development support to the regional laboratories and technical troubleshooting to targeted laboratories	Procure and equip the Regional Livestock Development Center, Kanglung being the referral lab for the Eastern region, with PCR facility. Support the Regional Veterinary Hospitals and Epidemiology Centre (RVH-EC Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Dewathang) with rapid detection test kits. FAO RAP (LTO, ASF team, Regional Laboratory Coordinator) will provide necessary technical support for the target laboratories including protocol review and update.
2.4 Deliver training on ASF detection and response to targeted audiences, including online, in-class, field, and simulation exercises, utilizing available resources and materials developed at the regional level	ASF team at FAO RAP, together with the FAO country office and the Department of Livestock, will organize training(s) on the ‘early detection and emergency response’ course within 4 months of the project and a supplemental field simulation exercise(s) on ‘ASF outbreak management and response’ as well as detection. ASF team at FAO RAP, with the support of the Department of Livestock, will be responsible for encouraging animal health officials, field staff, veterinary professionals, and paraprofessionals to take online courses made available through the Virtual Learning Centre (VLC) at RAP, including ASF basic course and ASF management in smallholder settings.
2.5 Deliver training on assessing the socio-economic impact of the ASF outbreak	An international consultant, guided by the LTO, will conduct a training workshop for selected officials under the Department of Livestock on conducting socio-economic impact analysis of livestock diseases with special emphasis on ASF
OUTPUT 3	Biosecurity practices in communities improved through socially acceptable interventions following the FAO Progressive Management Pathway for Terrestrial Animal Biosecurity (PMP-TAB)
Indicator	Baseline	Target	Means of Verification	Assumptions
Number of socially acceptable biosecurity interventions designed and/or implemented in targeted communities/districts	There have been no interventions on biosecurity designed with a participatory approach	At least 1 intervention designed and/or implemented per participating community/district	Reports from participating animal health officers	The project receives full cooperation from both public and private stakeholders in the process of developing interventions through a participatory approach.
ACTIVITIES for achieving Output 3
Title	Description
3.1 Review existing biosecurity standards and design socially and economically acceptable intervention packages	Guided by the LTO, a national consultant (or an expert) will review the existing biosecurity standards in Bhutan and develop a model biosecurity intervention package which will include farm design, farm biosecurity, husbandry practice, risk exposure indicators, gender information, and knowledge indicators.
3.2 Enhance the capacity of the livestock extension supervisors/animal health workers on-farm biosecurity	The competent authority under the Ministry will train livestock extension supervisors/animal health workers and regulators under the BFDA on the updated biosecurity standards and biosecurity intervention packages as developed in 3.1
3.3 Enhance pig farmers’ knowledge of on-farm biosecurity, good husbandry practices, disease risk factors, and prevention measures	The Department of Livestock will conduct training to enhance the pig farmers and stakeholders along the pork value chain on the knowledge of farm biosecurity, good husbandry practices, disease risk factors and prevention measures across the country.
3.4 Strengthen import control through sensitization of the integrated checkpoint/border control officials	The competent authority under the Ministry will sensitize ICP or border control officials on import regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, inspection procedures, and risks associated with unauthorized and illegal imports
3.5 Develop and disseminate materials to advocate for wider adoption and possible scaleup of proven interventions with other communities and stakeholders	A communication specialist, guided by the LTO, will conduct interviews with participating farmers 1-2 months after the intervention to document for their satisfaction, Behavioural change, knowledge gain, etc. for further dissemination of the achievement of the project.

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