Sustainable Wildlife Management
The Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA) was formed in 1978 by a group of ranchers in the Rupununi to help support and sustain the livestock industry.
Before SWM:
RLPA was dormant chicken reared as free range for sporadic consumption at household level.
Lack of access to livestock supplies
Cattle production system in crisis
Increased importations of industrial meats from Brazil
RLPA worked on a voluntary basis (NO staff) and main activity was the organization of the Rupununi Rodeo
The Objectives
Food security: To ensure people
in the Rupununi have improved
access to a domesticated source
of animal protein that they can
afford.
Income: Increased incomes for
people in the Rupununi who rear
livestock for sale.
Wildlife: add value to wildlife
friendly landscapes and reduce
dependence on wildlife.
Impacts through SWM
With the support from SWM Programme, the RLPA was able revitalize its role in representing the interests of local livestock producers, increase lobbying, encouraging and promoting improved production of the livestock industry while strengthening its partnering with relevant institutions and stakeholders. RLPA has become a major actor in livestock development in the Rupununi with 6 full time staff and 10 part time RLPA has reactivated and increased its membership to 150 registered members including youth groups and women groups.
Improved access to livestock supplies
RLPA established the first Livestock Hub in the
region and a mobile hub servicing all 5 districts.
In four years, RLPA has supplied 75,600 chicks
and 257,220 kgs of chicken feed in the Region
From 600 to 7000 chicks per month
From 60 to 500 bags (45kg) per month of feed