Dairy production and management training2-4, Oct, 2014

Background

Dairy is one of our priority commodities in West Gojjam LIVES project. It has huge potential in

terms of agro-ecological suitability, large cattle population and market opportunities due to

expansion of urbanization and overall increment in human population. Existence of agro-

processing factories such as flour mills, food oil processing and brewery factories are additional

advantages for dairying since they serve as supply of feed for dairy animals.

Even if the dairy development has long history in the zone in particular, and in region in

general, market-oriented dairy farming is just emerging. Shortage of improved dairy cattle

breeds due to poor efficiency and coverage of artificial insemination has been considered by

the government as one of the major bottlenecks for dairy development. To this effect, the

regional livestock agency has been determined to enhance the availability of improved cattle

through hormone assisted estrus synchronization and mass insemination. There have also been

efforts to improving feed availability through introduction of improved forage crops using

different forage development strategies (backyard, soil and water conservation structures,

watersheds, irrigation schemes and farm strips) and introducing controlled grazing practices in

natural pasture.

However, the knowledge and skills of smallholder producers and extension staff on modern

dairying, such identification of available feed resources and efficient feed utilization practices,

healthcare, heat detection, record keeping, hygienic milking and milk handling is far below the

standard. As a result, performances of dairy business in terms of milk productivity per cow, age

at first calving, calving interval, calf survival rate, lactation length and cow’s life time

productivity remained very low. Loss of high yielder cows due to metabolic disorders such as

milk fever, ketosis and occurrence of mastitis in many of the farms indicates inadequacy of

knowledge and skills of producers and extension staff on modern dairy feeding practices and

hygienic milking procedures. To this effect, basic training of dairy production and management

on modern dairy feeding, healthcare, heat detection, record keeping, housing and hygienic milk

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production and processing was given to producers, private milk processors and dairy

cooperatives.

Objectives

Improve knowledge and skills of smallholder dairy producers and extension staffs on

modern dairy farming (feeds and feeding, healthcare, heat detection, record keeping,

housing and hygienic milk production)

Improve knowledge and skills of dairy value chain actors such as traders and processors

(private and cooperatives) and extension staff on modern milk processing, handling and

marketing

Enhance interactive learning and experience sharing among producers, processors,

traders and extension workers

Training and facilitation process

Knowledge gaps were identified during mentoring activities undertaken within farmers,

experts, input suppliers and marketing actors in dairy value chain. After the knowledge gap

identification, training providers, trainees, and training proposals were prepared. The

training was given at Bahir dar city for three consecutive days from 2-4, Oct, 2014. The

participants were selected from Yilmanadensa, Mecha, and Bahirdar zuria districts including

Bahir dar city administration office of agriculture experts, development agents, and farmers,

fattening business owners, and feed suppliers. The selection of participants was done in

collaboration with respective agriculture offices of livestock process those having directly

with dairy production and marketing. The training participants were tried to be gender

sensitive and inclusive of female participants involved in dairy, feed processing, milk

processing, and marketing. As a result, 51 trainees (Male- 41, and Female-7 female) were

participated where 14.58% were females. The training was managed by 3 trainers came

from research, and livestock agency,

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Farmers Experts Development agents

Processor Total

M F M F M F M F M F

20 4 9 1 9 1 3 1 41 7

Expected Output

Improved knowledge and skills of dairy producers and extension agents on modern

value chain development

Enhanced knowledge and skills of dairy traders and processors (private and

cooperative) on milk processing, handling and transportation of milk and milk

products.

Training material produced on modern dairy management, milk and milk products

handling, processing and marketing

Established linkages and systems of dairy value chain within and between districts.

Introduction

The training was given to targeted dairy producers, private milk processors/traders and dairy

cooperatives and extension staff from districts of each zone. Both male and female trainees

were participated in the training. Before the beginning of the training, each participant has

introduced himself about his/her name, location, duty, and experiences in dairy value chain.

This opportunity has created interactions on the training process between the trainees as well

as with the trainers. Two way communication and participatory oriented training approach

created the participants to share their experiences, bottlenecks, and solutions designed to

establish favorable condition to their dairy business. The trainer has given some technical

highlights on the training issues with power point presentation and let them to raise questions,

experiences, and skills.

The training covered issues on feeds and feeding, healthcare, heat detection, calf management,

proper milking methods, ration formulation, record keeping, hygienic milk production, milk

processing and marketing. The practical session has included visits on cow and housing

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management at private dairy farm, and processing of feeds and formulation at Wongelie

livestock feed processing plant.

Training sessions and discussions

The training has included main thematic areas of dairy value chain development as Ethiopian

dairy production systems, dairy production and breeding, dairy feed resources, feeding and

feed formulation, feeding and watering management and construction, evaluation system of

feeding strategy feasibility, cost benefit analysis, recording, and impact of nutrition was given

with one trainer. The second trainer has given on identification and symptoms of major

diseases, causatives of diseases, identification and symptoms of major diseases, main animal

diseases and parasites prevention and control methods, and animal health data recording and

monitoring sheets. The third trainer has given livestock development policy directions, and

preparations, breed improvement strategies including OSMAI, and milk and milk products

marketing.

Fig1. Participants of the training

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As being indicated in the introduction phase of this report, after each training, the training was

given a summary and key notes which trainees has to take, and make discussions on issues

raised. The discussion was participatory and both farmers and experts raise their experiences.

The training was presented in Amharic language to meet the level and targeted to the status of

both trainees. Since the knowledge gap is assessed before, the trainers have prepared

themselves to these gaps, and coined to practical/ real to the existing situations of the dairy

sector. This helps them to see their real potentials, shortages, and opportunities of their dairy

business. As a result, it was more interactive, attractive, and being acknowledged by each

training participant. The trainees has raised questions on shortage of improved breeds,

improved forage seeds, concentrate feeds, vet drugs, and market linkage and access to modern

technologies of milk processing and marketing. This dairy training has shown the importance of

targeted, and problem oriented content training. The indications of this training were farmers

and experts can be motivated, and enabled them to develop confidence on their activities

implementing, and duties given to perform and address the dairy sector development efforts

respectively. In addition, it has given an opportunity to express their feelings, needs, shortages,

experiences of them and interest to create network of actors in the dairy business. Even, they

identified their responsibilities and shares of developing the sector for better future.

Fig2. Field visits of private dairy farm and Wongelie feed processing plant

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Pre and post training assessment

The trainees have given the knowledge status before training as pre training assessments. As a

result, most of the trainees have reflected as they have limited knowledge and skills in dairy

development in both issues of the training to be addressed. During the training, they have got

better knowledge and skills in dairy cow selection, housing, feeding, fodder development,

rationing, and health care. Mostly, they got knowledge of main gaps that they take it simple as

but show significant failure and impact on dairy cow productivity, and effectiveness of the

sector. The two ways learning and experience sharing, practical and field visit sessions make

them to take better understanding, and build better knowledge of dairy development.

Breed se

lection

Dairy d

ev't &

gove

rn't dire

ctions

Dairy p

rod'n and m

anag

't

Dairy m

arketi

ng

Feeds a

nd utilization

Feeding s

ystem

Feed fo

rmulati

on

Health m

anag

emen

tTo

tal

0

50

100

150

200

250Knowledge status of trainees before training

No LimitedEnough

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The impact of training was assessed after training and showed significant difference on the

knowledge status of trainees in dairy value chain development. As can be seen from the

feedback assessment graph; training is vital, if pre training gap is made and gear the training to

the targeted gaps assessed.

Additionally, the trainees have identified their own action plans to be implement the following

activities.

Dairy animal selection

Breed selection and improvement

Housing and management

Calf management and target to fattening for male calves

Feed preparation and storage

Silage making

Urea treatment

Concentrate preparation, storage, and feeding system

Dairy cow feeding and health management

Record keeping

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Breed se

lection

Dairy d

ev't &

gove

rn't dire

ctions

Dairy p

rod'n and m

anag

't

Dairy m

arketi

ng

Feeds a

nd utilization

Feeding s

ystem

Feed fo

rmulati

on

Health m

anag

emen

tTo

tal0

50

100

150

200

250

Knowledge status of trainees after training

No knowledgeLimited knowledgeEnough knowledge

Follow up action

In collaboration with regional, zonal and district staffs of livestock agency, the trainees will be

coached whether they have applied the knowledge and skills they gained from the training to

improve their dairy business. The improvement in farm productivity and income of producers

and processors/traders due to use of knowledge and skills gained from the training will be

assessed. The change in the efficiency of extension agents to disseminate dairy technologies to

beneficiaries due to improved knowledge and skills will also be assessed and documented.

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