Farming families are trained in quality milk production, animal reproduction and animal health monitoring to prevent disease.
There’s new life mooing in Mbale, Uganda. The Dairy Cow Project cows have had their first round of calves, and several more are pregnant. The project is raising the wellness status and income level of families in the area.
Residents have formed small groups which each share the duties and benefits of raising a cow. Up to six families can share the responsibilities of taking care of one cow – and eventually its calves. This way they also share the risk and expense involved in raising the large animals.
The milk from the cows is consumed by the calves and by the families caring for the cows, but the largest portion – approximately 10 litres per day – is sold for profit. The market for milk is very strong in this community, and clients sign up to receive the milk regularly.
As participants in the Dairy Cow Project, the farming families are trained in quality milk production, animal reproduction, proper feeding for the cows and calves, and animal health monitoring to prevent disease.
Still, the impact of the dairy cows reaches far beyond milk production and skills training. The manure from the cows is used as organic fertilizer to improve families’ crops and the resulting yields are impressive. Families’ nutrition is improved both through the milk and through the increased amounts of vegetables and fruits in their gardens. The income provided by the milk also enables families to buy foods with a larger variety of nutrients, to use to the money for school supplies and to pay school fees for their children.
Would you like to donate towards the cost of a dairy cow? Visit www.povertyrevoution.org/cows today!
