SECTION V : FIELD TRIP AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS

REPORT ON THE FIELD VISIT ORGANIZED FOR THE FAO REGIONAL EXCHANGE NETWORK FOR MARKET ORIENTED DAIRY DEVELOPMENT

D Dube and T Chiremba¹

1.0 Introduction

The field visit was organized in order to expose the workshop participants to the operations and requirements of the smallholder dairy sector in Zimbabwe. An overview of the smallholder dairy sector is provided below, (also refer annex 1 and 2). The choice of sites visited was made because each site was unique.

¹ Mr D Dube is the Director of the Dairy Development Programme in ARDA, Zimbabwe and T Chiremba is an Economist in the same organisation

Henderson Research Station has been spearheading research in production and nutrition relevant to the smallholder dairy farmer since 1993. In this respect it was necessary to fill in the participants on the findings to date. Both on farm and on station research is being carried out. The report by the Head of Station Mr B Mupeta is summarized below. University of Zimbabwe, animal section is also carrying out relevant research on mixed crop silages. Given the ever escalating feed cost, this research is very useful to the smallholder dairy farmer in order to produce milk in a cost effective way. A summary of the findings and prospects for the future is also given below as disclosed by Dr Marian Titterton. The day could not have been complete without a visit to a smallholder dairy project. Chikwaka project was chosen because of its proximity to Harare. It is the only smallholder dairy project which markets its milk through Dairiboard Zimbabwe Limited (DZL). The rest of the projects market all their milk locally.

2.0 Overview of the Dairy Development Programme

The Dairy Development Programme (DDP) which falls under the Agricultural Rural Development Authority (ARDA) was formed in 1983. This was a deliberate effort by government to involve smallholder farmers in dairying. The bulk of the milking in this country still comes from large scale commercial farmers who account for 98% of the milk produced and marketed by milk processing companies. However, production in the ten projects currently in operation has been on the increase, as depicted by the graph on figure 1. This trend is expected to increase with the participation of more than ten new projects in the period 1997–2001. The old projects will thus be weaned and new ones taken on.

Annex 2 gives the proportion of production and market share for Dariboard Zimbabwe Ltd. and local sales. The trend has been more and more local sales of milk as this apart from addressing the nutritional impact also is cost effective. The thrust for the future is that more projects will be engaged in the production of value added products to be marketed locally.

3.0 Field Trip Outline

3.1 Henderson Research Station

The Head of the Henderson Research Station gave a brief outline on the operations underway, which are based on strategies to improve smallholder dairy projects in communal areas. The existing studies were based on large scale production systems and hence not applicable in the communal set up. The main objectives of the studies are to complement commercial dairy production through improved milk production in rural areas, hence augment income levels and consequently act as a rural development tool.

The studies focus on the potential milk production of exotic-indigenous crossbred cows, growth rates of the progeny for beef and efficiency of utilization of various sources of dietary protein for growth and lactation in smallholder systems. The baseline survey that was carried out in 1992 to establish the resource base and attitudes of the farmers revealed that the majority of farmers had inadequate arable land, low feed production level, inadequate capital and borrowing capacity and lack of management skills which hinders development. The study was met with great interest and enthusiasm and to date some farmers have already adopted the recommended crops for use in home grown rations. Sunflower is now widely grown as it has a dual purpose, in oil processing and the residue, sunflower cake, used as a protein source for dairy animals.

Dr Abate (Kenya) raised concern on the need for a breeding plan, as in their case, it was necessary to develop skills in dairy before farmers can handle pure breeds, as a sustainability measure. Crossbred animals tended to have better resistance against diseases and are cheaper to maintain. The male progeny need to be castrated and reared for beef or use as draft power. Castrates tended to have better feed conversion rates compared to the entire bulls.

Grazing is also used as a development tool with a total of 155 legumes covering 46 ha. The problems faced in pasture development include decline in fertility, loss of production and invasion by undesirable grasses. The Henderson Dairy unit tend to focus on natural grazing and have observed that higher returns are obtained during the wet season (December - March) as bought-in feeds are reduced and grasses are at their best. Most calving are around April-June period and peak production is attained during the same period. The workshop participants were quite impressed by the operations at Henderson and were positive that this would effectively contribute to the regional networking programme.

3.2 University of Zimbabwe: Dept. Of Animal Dairy Unit

The Dairy Unit, whose main purpose is to improve on forage feeds, was established in April 1995. A number of experiments are being carried out to verify the production capacities of different mixed crop silages. Silage tends to have higher nutritive value compared to hay as it is prepared when crops are still succulent. Silage cutters are encouraged to reduce on the labour component. It was consequently agreed that since it is easy to conserve, it is cost effective and highly nutritious, it would be ideal for the small scale farmers.

3.3 Chikwaka Dairy Centre

Our last destination was at Chikwaka where a tour of the centre was done. The project Officer briefed the participants on the operations, and went on to say that 80% of their milk is marketed to Dariboard Zimbabwe Limited (DZL). Though the market is guaranteed, the only problem they face is on the quality control penalties they are charged when they fail to meet the standard requirements. An elderly farmer was visited, the participants had a chance to observe the dairy set-up in the communal areas. On average the farmer produces six litres per cow per day. When asked whether the project is of benefit to him, the farmer mentioned that it has been the main income source for the family. The farmer also had poultry and gardening projects which supplement his income from dairy. As a retired businessman he indicated that dairy is a worthwhile project and hopes that in the near future he acquires more purebred animals as they have higher production capacities.

4.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, the areas visited were appropriate as a guide on the developments underway in Zimbabwe's smallholder dairy sector. Much is being done to assist farmers in their endeavours in setting up dairy enterprises. Though much base work has been done, support by the dairy industry to the disadvantaged farmers is required. Regional integration in networking is therefore expected to strengthen regional development strategies in agricultural development in order to completely eradicate nutrition deficiency in the rural population.

The way forward of networking would therefore depend on the strategies taken up by different nations. Zimbabwe for one, has gone a long way to support smallholder development and this should remain so, for attainment of sustainable development.

Annex II: DDP Milk Production and Marketing 1990 – 1995

Total Prod.-total production Lts-litres
* Chikwaka joined the DZL bulk tank collection in December 1993, hence the decline in local sales.

2.0 GROUP DISCUSSIONS : SESSION I

2.1 Aims Of Discussion

To discuss the need, feasibility as well as to decide on whether participants from the region regarded the establishment of a Regional Exchange Network for Market Oriented Dairy Development as important.

2.2 Guidelines for Discussion

• Was a Regional Exchange Network needed?
• Issues to be addressed by network prior and after establishment.
• The mandate of the Network outcome of Group deliberations.

2.3 The group deliberations are summarised below:

2.3.1 Group 1: Deliberations

1. Issues prior to Establishment of Network
   • Start date
   • Location
   • Capacity requirements
   • Resources: Human Resources
     Financial
     • infrastructure
     • salaries
     • operating
     • equipment
     • membership fees
     • Training: for establishing network

     • Social-cultural

2. Issues to be Considered After Establishment of Network
   • Farm management
   • Financial management
   • Record Keeping
   • National capacities building
   • Decision making
   • Marketing
     • where is market
     • purchasing power
     • how to promote demand
     • organising to meet consumer demand
   • Technology
     • use of indigenous knowledge systems
     • livestock management, fodder, breed
     • Environment
     • Socio-cultural
   • Promotional activities
   • inform of existence
   • promote milk.

2.3.2 Group 2: Deliberations

1. Networking is desirable as it promotes efficiency and reduces duplication.

2. Do we need a market-oriented network?
   • production base determines marketing

   • systems approach is more sustainable

3. Requirements of Network
   • Transparency within the network:
   • local experts provide CVs
   • collaboration with regional institutions
   • develop mechanism on how other institutions and other existing networks are to relate.

   • Create a platform to expose and fully utilise regional expertise.

4. Funding mechanism should be discussed and self-sustaining options need to be looked at so as to avoid donor driven programme.

5. Capacity building can be achieved through:
   • regional training
   • strengthen linkages in information transmission

   • participatory approach

6. Staffing of Network:

   • non-monetary incentives should be offered for the facilitation of networking.

7. Organisational structure of network:
   • must be regional
   • coordination committee must be established

2.3.3 Group 3: Deliberations

1. Formation of national committee/board to include all actors in dairy development
   • organise national workshops
   • formation of national apex body with representation from all agencies/actors
   • nominate two representatives for regional network.
2. Formation of regional network. Steps:
   • member countries from a board and elect chairman which managed by support staff/experts.
   • formulates by-laws/mandate.
3. Tasks:
   • organise need oriented training programme
   • organise workshops addressing specific needs
   • mobilise regional human resource base
   • organise regional consultancy services involving experts from member countries.
   • exchange information by newsletter, journals.
4. Funding:
   • to start through donor funding
   • mobilise local resources and generate funds nationally.

2.3.4 Group 4: Deliberations

1. The Network
   • should be non-political
   • must be self financing
   • have open membership to groups interested in dairy
   • development at national and regional levels

   • chairman of national apex dairy organisation should be member of regional coordinating committee.

2. Role of Network:
   • Exchange of Information:
   • research/extension linkage
   • practical experiences
   • market intelligence
   • resource availability:
     • manpower

     • inputs.

3. Mechanism for Exchange of Information:
   • exchange visits at all levels
   • publications
   • workshops, seminars, conferences
   • electronic exchange
   • exchange of resource personnel

   • regional training programmes.

4. Development of Market Oriented Dairy Production
   • integration of production, processing and marketing
   • standardization of products.

3.0 GROUP DISCUSSIONS : SESSION II

3.1 Aims Of Group Discussion

To give participants a chance to discuss specific issues or work up details of the establishment of a Market Oriented Dairy Development Exchange Network.

3.2 Guidelines For Discussion

Group discussions had to focus on the following:

• Outlining (mission statement) aims objectives of envisaged network
• Suggest a constitution, structure and possible activities for the network
• Suggest possible membership
• Outline policy framework for the network

3.3 The Deliberations Of The Various Groups Are Given Below:

3.3.1 Group 1: Deliberations

1. Mission Statement

   • facilitate dairy development of the member countries of the Eastern and Southern Africa in order to enhance household food security and improve the quality of life of members.

2. Aims
   • To facilitate sharing of information and experience on dairy development among members.
   • To recommend appropriate polices for enhancing the performances of the dairy industry in the region.
   • To develop appropriate technology and review retrogressive policies on dairy development in the region.
   • To undertake training of the various interest parties in the dairy sub-sector.
   • To conduct studies and monitor the development of the dairy industry in the region.

   • To establish and maintain a data base on: breeding, production, processing, marketing, constraints management and research.

3. Possible Set-up

   Network headed by a regional dairy department committee will be made up of representatives of National Dairy Development Committees of all member countries. National Committees will be made up of all the key players in dairy the sector.

3.3.2 Group 2: Deliberations

1. Objectives
   • To promote regional market oriented and sustainability in emphasis on Smallholder Sector.
   • To be achieved through:
   • Facilitation of cooperation/coordination of national and regional Institutions responsible for dairy development.
   • Strengthen national and regional institutions involved in dairy development.
   • Provide facilities for distribution of information and publication
   • Assist in the development of realistic and achievable dairy policies

   • Collect and compile data on the dairy sector for use in planing and policy formulation and implementation.

2. Schedule of Meetings:
   • Regional Committee
     Year 1 – 2 meetings
     Year 2 – 1 Annual General Meeting
   • General Meeting - Meetings in year 1 are bi annual
   • National meeting - up to individual countries

3.3 Group 3: Deliberations

1. Constitution
   Constitution of the regional dairy network for eastern and Southern Africa.
   • Name: The name of the dairy network will be as above.
   • Objectives:

   • Broad: Promote the development of sustainable production and marketing of milk and milk products in the region.

2. Other Specific Issues to be Considered
   • Mobilization of human resources and other inputs for dairy development.
   • Exchange of information on research and extension, resources, practical experience and market intelligence.
   • Structure:
   • FAO dairy group
     • regional steering
     • national steering council

     • facilitator

3. Members of National Committees to Include:
   • produce representative
   • processor representative
   • Researcher
   • National Dairy Boards
   • Consumers
   • Extension representatives
   • Input suppliers

4.0 Synthesis Of Sessions I And II Working Group Deliberations

4.1 Determining Considerations

The network should focus on:

• information dissemination
• smallholder milk producers

4.2 Constitution

If a constitution is required, this could be framed when the objectives and activities of the network have been agreed.

4.3 Name:

DAIRYNET
East and Southern Africa
Dairy Information
Network

4.4 Purpose:

To promote Dairying in the region by advancing exchange of information among member countries.

4.5 Objectives:

• To facilitate exchange of information on dairying with special emphasis on smallholder milk producers.
• To assist in building the capacities of nation institutions and organisations involved in dairy development.
• To establish and maintain a dairy data base for member countries.

4.6 Activities

The objectives will be achieved through the following activities:

• Compiling and maintaining information on existing dairying training facilities and resources to facilitate meetings, seminars and workshops.
• Compiling and maintaining a data bank of existing professional dairying expertise in the region.
• Assembling and disseminating information on research and extension pertinent to dairy development in member countries.
• Distributing information through publications, journals, biannual newsletters, abstracts, progress reports etc.
• Forging information exchange linkages with other regional and international networks, organisations, institutions and professional bodies connected with dairying.
• Mobilising funding for setting up and sustaining the network.

4.7 Other Matters Still To Be Considered

• Network structure.
• Network location.
• National focal points.
• Meetings schedule.
• Budget and finance.
• Action plan to start up and operate the Network.

5.0 GROUP DISCUSSION: SESSION III

5.1 Aims Of Discussion

To discuss the structure of the network, location, schedule of meetings plus the Action Plan

5.2 Deliberations

The deliberations of the various groups are summarized below:

5.2.1 Group 1 : Deliberations

1. Participants in dairy industry can support the Network
   • levies
   • membership
   • Initial funding can be solicited from donor funding.
2. Hosting/Location
   • Network should be within Institutions and organisations Donor i.e. FAO secondment to Ministry to work Dairynet activities.
     Specific countries need to come up to National Structure - a standardised money note be feasible.

   • Regional Coordinating Committee with rotational chairmanship but fixed Headquarters for Dairynet; The rotation of chairmanship will enable each country to develop capacity to run its own Dairy Network as well as to monitor activities of the Network. There is need to detail the mandate of Dairynet Regional Coordinating Committee.

3. Logo Request FAO to sponsor a regional competition on Logo within the Dairynet member states.

4. Advisory Group
   • An advisory group or board needs to be set up of NGO, International organisations and members of research training organisations in non member countries.

   • The International organisations will be approached to fund/sponsor those activities of the network of interest to them.

5. Proposed Donors to be approached are given below:
   1. Commonwealth Secretariat - Training, Publication
   2. FAO - Documentation, Database
   3. ILRI - Livestock
   4. IFAD - Forum Management, Breeding
   5. IFPRI - Marketing,
   6. UNIFEF - Consumer Studies
   7. UNIFEM - Consumer Studies
   8. UNICEF - Gender and Sociological Studies

      Training and research Institutions in other parts of the world with expertise in needed areas can be approached for possible collaboration. Specification of software may not be necessary - find most used and use it to minimise costs.

6. Plan of Action
   1. Feed back to Government
   2. Write Proposal

      Title: Establishment of Regional Dairy Development Network facility (Dairynet)

      Duration:

      Phase I: January - July, 1996 Preparation phase and setting up National Dairynets.

      Phase II: 1 July 1996: Establish regional office for dairynet needs administration staff prepare for next phase.

      Phase III: Initiate and carry out activities

      Phase IV: Take over from FAO.

5.2.2 Group 2 - Deliberations

a. What will be needed to run the network?

1. Regional Coordinating Committee will need:
   • Telecommunications costs
   • Transport and operations costs
   • Office and equipment, dispatches and maintenance
   • Travel costs and meetings
   • Secretarial support services
   • Training costs
2. National Coordinating Committee - Initial funding for committee meetings is needed.
3. Sustainable Measures:
   • Levy on local production and input
   • Membership subscription
   • Direct payment for information
   • Food Aid should be levied if supplies are locally available to encourage sourcing from the local market.

5.2.3 Group 3 - Deliberations

a. Name of Network: DNESA/DANESA was suggested

b. Budget Proposal in US$

c. Possible Sources

• From Proposition of Levy funds on imported dairy products and other dairy levies
• Contribution form role players and stake holders
• Government
• Donor Funding
• Membership Contribution
• Establishment Regional Organisation.

d. Schedule of Meetings

First meeting of the national steering council to be held after identification of local points in each member country.

6.0 Synthesis of Session III group discussions resulted in issues that have been outlined in the Executive Summary. The outcome was:

1. The Action Plan was drafted.
2. The purpose, objectives and Activities of the network were finalized.