Mzuzu Dairy Limited Boosts Milk Production in Malawi through Farmer Training and Support
By 2024, the company hopes to have 1,000 farmers receiving its assistance.
Malawi: Despite efforts to increase milk production in Malawi from a variety of stakeholders, a 2011 study by the International Livestock Research Institute found that it is still insufficient, writes Susan Moyo.
The report also highlights issues with animal health, reproduction, and the lack of dependable markets that the dairy industry in the country's north must deal with.
Mzuzu Dairy Limited is assisting smallholder dairy farmers in resolving these problems by offering them training in subjects like animal care, heat detection, nutrition, and record-keeping, as well as connecting them with dependable markets.
The Doroba Dairy Cooperative, located in Mzuzu, has praised the support provided by Mzuzu Dairy Limited, with Chairperson Jester Kalua stating, "In the past, we were making losses because we did not have reliable markets, so sometimes our milk could get spoiled; we could only earn a measly 30 thousand kwacha per month, but now with the coming in of Mzuzu Dairy Limited as a reliable market, on a monthly basis, a farmer is able to earn more than K90, 000 when they sell their milk."
Denis Chitowe, the founder and managing director of Mzuzu Dairy Limited, emphasised the company's emphasis on empowering and promoting women in dairy farming because they make up 85% of the industry in the northern region.
In order to boost milk production, Chitowe also mentioned that the business is teaching farmers how to make local animal feeds like cassava silage.
Additionally, the business buys milk from cooperatives.
Dairy farmer Esther Masanza shared, "After I received training, I am now able to know when my cows are on heat and I know what to do during that time. I also know how to give my cattle the right kind of feed."
Another farmer, Annie Gondwe, stated, "My cattle were giving me 10 litres of milk per day, but now I get 20 litres of milk on a daily basis, and I don't have problems paying school fees for my children, so this is the profit I have gained from the trainings supported by Mzuzu Dairy Farmers."
Timothy Gondwe, an expert in agriculture, praised Mzuzu Dairy Limited for giving dairy farmer women access to these training opportunities.
By 2024, the company hopes to have 1,000 farmers receiving its assistance.
Yogurt and chambiko are among the dairy products made by Mzuzu dairy farmers.