The use of local people as Animal Health Workers (AHW) was conceptualized by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) a decade ago. The objective was to train local farmers in basic animal health care so as to extend animal health services to the villages. Until 1988/89, more than 550 AHWs were trained in the Rapti Zone alone. In 1989/90 more than 550 additional AHWs were trained. But due to lack of followup activities it was felt that the objective was not fully realized. DLSOs estimates indicated that only 19 percent of trained AHWS operational in 1988/89. In late 1989 and early 1990, a sample survey was under takenby the Rapti Development Project in the five districts of the Rapti Zone to identify the problems experienced by the AHWs.AHWs from 12 1ocalities where the RDP TA team  had planned  to assist  the  line  agencies  in strengtheningfarmer user group were selected for the study. However, to reach  the  reasonable  number  of  sample  size,  the neigh­boring and nearly villages (then called panchayats ) were  also  taken  as  the  study  area.  The  sample  included  19AHWs from Dang,  17 from  Pyuthan,  15 from  Rolpa,  18 from  Rukum  and  15 from  Salyan.  Thirtynine AHWs  in the sample were classified as active and 45 inactive. AHWs who were found to be providing health service  at the time of Survey were classified  as active. Simple pretested questionnaires were used to interview the AHWs. The main problems reported by AHWs were: ( i ) Poor access to veterinary medical supplv, (ii) Insufficient training, (iii) Lack of equipment and (iv) Lack of incentives.The inactive AHWs reported that the lack of medical supplies from DLSO, lack of incentives, family concerns and lack of recognition from the community were the main reasons for their inactiveness. The study suggested that the effectiveness of AHWs could be improved by providing an annual problem oriented refresher training and by developing a system through which AHWs would have access to medical supplies and equipment. Equally important would be to work out a system by which the AHWs could be paid for the services.

The use of local people as Animal Health Workers (AHW) was conceptualized by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) a decade ago. The objective was to train local farmers in basic animal health care so as to extend animal health services to the villages. Until 1988/89, more than 550 AHWs were trained in the Rapti Zone alone. In 1989/90 more than 550 additional AHWs were trained. But due to lack of followup activities it was felt that the objective was not fully realized. DLSOs estimates indicated that only 19 percent of trained AHWS operational in 1988/89. In late 1989 and early 1990, a sample survey was under takenby the Rapti Development Project in the five districts of the Rapti Zone to identify the problems experienced by the AHWs.AHWs from 12 1ocalities where the RDP TA team  had planned  to assist  the  line  agencies  in strengtheningfarmer user group were selected for the study. However, to reach  the  reasonable  number  of  sample  size,  the neigh­boring and nearly villages (then called panchayats ) were  also  taken  as  the  study  area.  The  sample  included  19AHWs from Dang,  17 from  Pyuthan,  15 from  Rolpa,  18 from  Rukum  and  15 from  Salyan.  Thirtynine AHWs  in the sample were classified as active and 45 inactive. AHWs who were found to be providing health service  at the time of Survey were classified  as active. Simple pretested questionnaires were used to interview the AHWs. The main problems reported by AHWs were: ( i ) Poor access to veterinary medical supplv, (ii) Insufficient training, (iii) Lack of equipment and (iv) Lack of incentives.The inactive AHWs reported that the lack of medical supplies from DLSO, lack of incentives, family concerns and lack of recognition from the community were the main reasons for their inactiveness. The study suggested that the effectiveness of AHWs could be improved by providing an annual problem oriented refresher training and by developing a system through which AHWs would have access to medical supplies and equipment. Equally important would be to work out a system by which the AHWs could be paid for the services.