MAGAZETINI LEO JUMATATU

TANZANIA

KENYA

EADD II DONATES A COW TO A WOMAN WITH BLINDNESS WORTH 1.5M/-

By Friday Simbaya, Njombe

East Africa Dairy Development (EADD II) has its part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), have donated a cow to a woman with blindness, Wema Ngembuche of Ikuna Village in Njombe District, Njombe Region. 

The EADD II of members of staff in Tanzania out of will and passion, raised a contribution of over 1.5 million Tanzania shillings (1.5m/-) rendered for a good quality heifer (mtamba)which was artificially inseminated, basic vetinary care and appropriate cow shed. 

East Africa Dairy Development phase two (EADD II) Country Project Manager, Mark Tsoxo said that the team will continue provide support to the same and other people in the Southern Highlands. 

The incident also attracted many more people including Dr. Mary Mashingo, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development. Dr. Mashingo, who is responsible for Livestock Sector, appealed to the public including civil servants to learn from the event and provide similar support to the needy groups. 

In response to this call, the former Acting Njombe Regional Commissioner, Anatory Choya (formal Ludewa District Commssioner) directed Livestock Department in the Region to ensure every vet support is provided to the farmer Ms. Ngembuchi as an art of promoting dairy farming in the region. 

EADD II Country Project Manager, Mark Tsoxo said yesterday Tanzania Dairy Board (TDB) has already registered Ngimbuchi and handed over a registration certificate as a certified milk producer.

Tsoxo who is also the Vice Chairperson for Tanzania Dairy Council said the council one of the functions is to promote development of a sustainable dairy industry in the country.

He added, the industry will be more vibrant and competitive in the regional and global markets if it embraces co-learning, acquire modern technologies and solutions. 

The East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) Project promotes dairy industry by raising poor farmers' incomes in regions of Njombe, Iringa and Mbeya using transformative process of increasing household milk productivity and access to markets.

Tsoxo told The Guardian on Sunday yesterday that the project specifically enhances farmers' sustainability by enhancing cow's productivity through promotion of appropriate breeds, feeds and feeding systems, proper animal health and general good husbandry. 

Other specific outcomes is dairy hub sustainability by promoting functional dairy cooperative and business linkages; promoting gender equity through inclusion of more women and youths; and replication and scaling up of hub approach within and across industries. 

He said that EADD II will allow farmers to use new technology and production skills, to be the best food sources for livestock, collection, cooling and transportation of milk.

In Tanzania, the project aims to benefit 35,000 households in Intensive smallholder dairying to increase milk production from 7 to 15 liter per animal. 

“The programme will also support the dairy hub model to facilitate milk collection and service delivery, “he said.

The project is being implemented in partnership with Heifer International Tanzania, Techno Serve, ICRAF, African Breeders Service (ABS) and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

East Africa Dairy Development phase two (EADD II) has managed to establish total of 12 milk collection and service delivery in Mbeya, Njombe and Iringa regions. EADD calls for private sector actors to Invest in production, collection and bulking business opportunities around the hubs. 

According to the Chairperson of Tanzania Dairy Board (TDB) Dr. Aichi Kitalyi at the 12th Tanzania Dairy Council annual general meeting held recently in Njombe Region during the ‘Milk Promotion Week’, projected growth in demand that will provide investment and market opportunities and benefits for dairy industries in Tanzania. 

She said that the benefits include Investment in production, Investment in collection and bulking, Investment in processing, Investment in Dairy equipment and supplies, and income-generating opportunities for producer households in rural and urban. 

She said that demand for milk is also expected to increase in Tanzania, from the current average of per capita consumption of 45 litres per year to 100 litres per year.

“If one was to use the World Health Organization recommended per capita consumption of milk, which is 200 litres per year, the projected demand would be even more phenomenal,” said Dr. Aichi Kitalyi.