Milk production picking up

Malawi government has said milk production is booming in the country through different interventions such as the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach Programme.

District agriculture development officer (Dado) for Lilongwe Nepier Kaliwo said this at an agriculture field day in the city.

“It is encouraging that many farmers are now into dairy farming. Milk is beneficial in many ways such as nutrition and income generation,” he said.

Kaliwo said through government funding and the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach programmes, many farmers now own dairy animals such as cows and goats.

“Government in partnership with different nongovernmental organisations are implementing different programmes in dairy farming. One of the major programmes which is showing positive results is the pass.

“In this programme, farmers receive cows to raise. When the animals multiply, they are given to their colleagues and keep the offsprings. This goes on until all farmers own the animals. The aim is to empower farmers economically,” said Kaliwo.

One of the beneficiaries Elemiya Chingoli, said the pass programme has improved his family.

He said he is now able to send his children to school, buy food and clothes for his family members with the proceeds from dairy farming.

He also used the proceeds to purchase pigs and chickens which he raises for food, manure and as a source of income.