Women of Doroba showcasing yoghurt produced with support from AGCOM
With the growing demand for milk and milk products, dairy farming is proving to be one of the most profitable agricultural enterprises which is economically lifting the lives of many farmers.
It therefore comes as no surprise that the government of Malawi in collaboration with other projects is implementing programmes aimed at promoting dairy farming in Malawi. Through these programs, there has been an increase in dairy farmers and milk production is also increasing across the country.
Doroba cooperative from Jailos Mshlanga village, under T/A Mtwalo in Mzimba North, is one of the cooperatives that has benefitted from the matching grant from the Agricultural Commercialization Project (AGCOM) to increase milk production.
With the matching grant from AGCOM, Doroba cooperative has managed to procure 29 dairy animals, 4 solar panels, 2 fridges, and 18 milk churns. This support has turned around the business of the cooperative.
Jester Kalua is the chairperson of the cooperative. She explains, “Before AGCOM grant, our cooperative was producing about 50 to 80 litres of milk per day which was a far cry from 500 litres per day which the cooperative was targeting in order for them to find a reliable off-taker and start value addition.”
She adds, “This meant that we needed more cows if we were to achieve the desired target. However, the challenge was inadequate funds to procure additional cows to increase milk production.”
Kalua says that the cooperative’s challenge on dwindling milk production was further exacerbated by inadequate milk storage facilities like fridges, milk churns, and solar panels. She explains, “Thanks to AGCOM Project for coming into our farming lives at a time when we needed support to save our business.”
The cooperative chairperson further says that they heard success stories of how AGCOM has helped other farmers through radio and television programmes. “That time we did not think that one day our cooperative shall be one of the beneficiaries,” explained Kalua.
With the help of the extension worker in the area, the cooperative developed a concept note and applied for AGCOM’S matching grant.
The cooperative was awarded matching grant worth MK31 million. Members of the cooperative made a cash contribution of MK3 million towards this grant. In the first tranche, the cooperative bought solar panels and in the second and third tranches, it procured churns, fridges, and cows.
Kalua explains that in addition to the grant, the cooperative has also benefited from the Project’s last mile infrastructure component which has connected to electricity both the cooperative and members surrounding the cooperative.
According to Kalua, a lot of things have improved in Doroba cooperative because of the matching grant. Production of milk has already increased from 50 litres per day to not less than 150 litres per day with the few cows that have started producing milk.
She explains, “We are sure that by the time all the 59 cows start producing milk, we will be producing more milk.”
She adds, “Increased milk production and connectivity to electricity through the LMI have created an opportunity for us to start adding value to the milk produced. We are currently making ‘chambiko’ and yoghurt which we pack in branded bottles. We sell yoghurt at MK2,400.00 per litre.”
Charity Msuku is the secretary for Doroba cooperative. She says that an increase in milk production has also led to more profits for the members. According to her, because of the increased income from milk, members of the cooperative are now able to afford some of the needs that seemed to be impossible. For instance, members are now constructing better houses, paying school fees for their children, and affording proper diets.
The members of Doroba cooperative have agreed to start pass-on program so that many members of the cooperative benefit from AGCOM matching grant. So far 10 members have benefited from this program.
Cecelia Mtenje Kazonga is the Agriculture Extension Development Officer of the area. She says that she is satisfied with what the cooperative has achieved with the matching grant from AGCOM.
Kazonga further says that few years ago, Doroba cooperative faced a lot of challenges in their milk business. She is glad that most of them have been addressed through AGCOM Project.
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