Daily milk output still low, says Tapp

Although Malawi has dairy cattle with potential to produce 30 litres of milk a day, production is said to be below seven litres a day, according to Trustees for Agriculture Promotion Programme (Tapp).

Tapp monitoring and evaluation officer Grace Chinkhandwe said last week that for the past two years, they have been working with over 1 000 dairy farmers to help them with better feed production, disease control, hygiene, artificial insemination (AI) and better business skills to produce quality milk.

She said this during visits to dairy farmers in Thunga in Thyolo and Mpemba in Blantyre.

Said Chinkhandwe: “Low milk production is attributed to poor feeds and lack of dairy management skills. We have introduced feeding technologies such as hay and silage formulation to feed cattle in lean, dry periods; training for AI experts and community animal health workers and have set up a drug revolving fund to reduce mortality and disease occurrence.”

During the field visits, farmers showcased how they are planting napier grass (nsenjere) to feed cattle during lean periods; setting up village banks and savings and credit cooperatives (Saccos) to cushion economic needs for the growth of their farming business and how to keep their kraals clean.

One of the farmers, Eneless Chimenya, said improved kraal management has helped deal with mastitis.

“Before I learned this, milk from my cows was being rejected due to the sourness that comes with mastitis. Previously, we also had problems feeding the cows during the lean period, but planting napier grass has helped,” she said.

The programme, called Enhancement of Dairy Productivity and Market Access, is funded by the Rural Livelihood and Economic Enhancement Programme (Rleep). n