KATETE DAIRY FARM & MMPA ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO TRAIN THE SMALL HOLDER DAIRY FARMERS IN MALAWI.
One of the main objectives our organization is to make dairy a sustainable and viable option for our members. This includes training to provide them with the practical experience of dairy farming and taking care of a cow. In the past most new farmers were trained in a classroom situation. This practice did not always work and farmers were frustrated and overwhelmed with the responsibility of owning a dairy cow and looking after it properly.
In 2010 MMPA signed a memorandum of understanding with Katete Dairy Farm to allow training to take place at the farm. Katete is the largest commercial dairy farm in Malawi, they manage 300 dairy animals. The Managing Director Mr. L. Ndovi agreed to set up a Training Center at Katete to provide the much needed practical hands on training . The training Center offers a two week program, were students stay at the farm and take part in the day to day activities Katete not only provides the experience of looking after one animal in a village style model khola, but also gives students the opportunity to learn about proper feeding practices, heat detection and breeding practices as well as daily herd health activities including treatment of Sick cows. Many students have taken home and used the knowledge they have gained. Such as making their own mineral licks and remodeling their kholas to provide a dry healthy environment for their cow and improved animal husbandry.
The funding for the training of 200 students per year [for 4 years] has been provided by Flanders International Corporation Agency [FICA]. To date over 200 farmers have been trained at the Center and many have used their experience to help others in the community.
In 2010 MMPA signed a memorandum of understanding with Katete Dairy Farm to allow training to take place at the farm. Katete is the largest commercial dairy farm in Malawi, they manage 300 dairy animals. The Managing Director Mr. L. Ndovi agreed to set up a Training Center at Katete to provide the much needed practical hands on training . The training Center offers a two week program, were students stay at the farm and take part in the day to day activities Katete not only provides the experience of looking after one animal in a village style model khola, but also gives students the opportunity to learn about proper feeding practices, heat detection and breeding practices as well as daily herd health activities including treatment of Sick cows. Many students have taken home and used the knowledge they have gained. Such as making their own mineral licks and remodeling their kholas to provide a dry healthy environment for their cow and improved animal husbandry.
The funding for the training of 200 students per year [for 4 years] has been provided by Flanders International Corporation Agency [FICA]. To date over 200 farmers have been trained at the Center and many have used their experience to help others in the community.