Track 3-01: Improving Livelihoods from Grasslands by Balancing Human Needs and the Environment

Description

Tanzania is primarily an agro-based economy, characterized by subsistence agricultural production that employs more than 80% of the population and contributing up to 45% of the GDP (2005). This country is endowed with a cattle population of 21.3 million, composed mainly of indigenous Zebu breed and about 680,000 improved dairy animals. About 70% of the milk produced comes from the traditional sector (indigenous cattle) kept in rural areas, while the remaining 30% comes from improved cattle mainly kept by smallholder producers. In Northern Tanzania and particularly in Hai district of Kilimanjaro region, some dairy farmers organize themselves into small producer groups for the purpose of milk collecting, marketing and generally promotion of the dairy sector in their community. NrongaWomen Dairy Cooperative Society (NWDCS) Limited is one of such organisations dedicated to improve the well-being of Nronga village community through promoting small scale dairy farming and its flow-on benefits. Milk flows out of the village, services for investment and dairy production flow into the village, ensuring a sustainable financial circulation necessary for poverty reduction, rural development and better life for the rural community. In 2001 NWDCS introduced a school milk feeding program that interested Australian donors since 2005. Guided by Global Development Group a multifaceted project integrating micro-enterprises, business, education and child health/nutrition was proposed and initiated by building a dairy plant in Hai district headquarters, the Boma plant. In March 2013, Australian High Commission to East Africa approved Direct Aid Program funding of AUD $30,000 towards the NWDCS - Biogas Pilot Project in Tanzania, which include the renovation of zero grazing cow shade units, the construction of 6 m3 biodigester plants on each farm, and encouragement of the use of bio-slurry for pasture production and home gardens.

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Improving Smallholder Livelihoods: Dairy Production in Tanzania

Tanzania is primarily an agro-based economy, characterized by subsistence agricultural production that employs more than 80% of the population and contributing up to 45% of the GDP (2005). This country is endowed with a cattle population of 21.3 million, composed mainly of indigenous Zebu breed and about 680,000 improved dairy animals. About 70% of the milk produced comes from the traditional sector (indigenous cattle) kept in rural areas, while the remaining 30% comes from improved cattle mainly kept by smallholder producers. In Northern Tanzania and particularly in Hai district of Kilimanjaro region, some dairy farmers organize themselves into small producer groups for the purpose of milk collecting, marketing and generally promotion of the dairy sector in their community. NrongaWomen Dairy Cooperative Society (NWDCS) Limited is one of such organisations dedicated to improve the well-being of Nronga village community through promoting small scale dairy farming and its flow-on benefits. Milk flows out of the village, services for investment and dairy production flow into the village, ensuring a sustainable financial circulation necessary for poverty reduction, rural development and better life for the rural community. In 2001 NWDCS introduced a school milk feeding program that interested Australian donors since 2005. Guided by Global Development Group a multifaceted project integrating micro-enterprises, business, education and child health/nutrition was proposed and initiated by building a dairy plant in Hai district headquarters, the Boma plant. In March 2013, Australian High Commission to East Africa approved Direct Aid Program funding of AUD $30,000 towards the NWDCS - Biogas Pilot Project in Tanzania, which include the renovation of zero grazing cow shade units, the construction of 6 m3 biodigester plants on each farm, and encouragement of the use of bio-slurry for pasture production and home gardens.