Dairy industry woes persist
Malawi Milk Producers Association (MMPA) says the country’s livestock sector is still dogged by a myriad of challenges citing a severe shortage of dairy cattle, lack of donor support and low milk production, among other obstacles.
The association has also faulted the nature of Malawi’s livestock policy which, it says, is outdated and does not tally with emerging issues in the sector.
Herbert Changona, national director for MMPA—a merger of three associations namely Shire Highlands Milk Producers Association, Central Region Milk Producers Association and Mpoto Dairy Farmers Association—observed that the industry’s productivity is currently low.
“In spite of people’s willingness to start dairying, the impetus is stifled by the limited availability of cattle. The main sources of cattle are government farms where productivity is very low,” he lamented.
He said the sector is still reeling from lack dairy cattle market in the country adding that there is high calf mortality of up to 50 percent which, he said, has resulted in farmers having few animals to sell.
Chagona also noted that insufficient quality feed for cattle has affected the health of dairy cattle and consequently lessened the amount and quality of milk they produce.
He lamented the lack of donor support for programmes aimed at establishing dairy cow markets and supporting MMPA’s cross breeding initiatives to address the shortage of dairy cows in the country.
“Often, budget support from the major donors to the Department of Agriculture is being used to support the bureaucracy of the department and does not reach the farmers and the programmess they need,” said Chagona who also observed that the country’s livestock policy is outdated.
Malawi’s livestock sector, which falls under the regulation of the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development (DAHLD), is guided by the livestock policy, which spells out the aspirations of government, and the direction in which the sector is desired to move.
Going forward, Chagona appealed to research institutions to ensure that breeding research findings are used to improve the sector.
He added: “A dairy development fund from the levy which is deducted from imported milk powder and milk products should be ploughed back to the farmers, to be operated by the DAHLD, research institutions and MMPA. This could address some of the shortfalls.”
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza could not be reached for commenting on the concerns raised by MMPA.
