this is the first issue of The East African

Dairy Development Project (EADD) - Uganda news-

letter. This newsletter will serve as an opportunity

for updating our partners on the progress towards

implementing of the project and for staff to share out

their key competences. EADD is a 4 year (2008 -

2012) poverty reduction project that will move small

holder women and men farmers out of poverty by

improving their profit participation in the dairy

value chain. The project’s adopted hub model of

farmer owned chilling plants (CP) will ensure tack-

ling many challenges which the small holder

farmers have been facing along the dairy value

chain. The project is funded by Bill and

Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and imple-

mented by Heifer Project International (HPI) as the lead agency. Other implementing

partners are Technoserve (TNS), African Breeders Services - Total Cattle Management

(ABS –TCM), International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and Interna-

tional Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

For the past 6 months we have been focusing on the key project start up activities one of

which was to constitute the EADD team, setting up the office and selecting the sites for

the project location and analyzing our stakeholders, all aimed at addressing the project

vision of doubling the dairy income of 45,000 small holder farmers in 13 districts of cen-

tral Uganda by 2012. Site selection was the key activity in the first 3 months and the

Uganda team was able to identify 10 sites for the CPs and 5 sites for the traditional hub

model (TM). The team has embarked on the farmer mobilization agenda especially to

ensure that 2 CPs and 1 TM are set up this year.

The project will be implemented by a team of about 35 staff experienced in the dairy

sector and in the field of rural development. Please join me in congratulating the whole

team for having accepted to be part of this noble cause. We look forward to contribute

towards achieving the vision of the EADD project.

Country Project Manager EADD-Uganda

Foreword from Country Program Manager

Mr. William Matovu Country Program Manager EADDP – Uganda

Inside this issue:

EAST AFRICAN DAIRY DEVELOPMENT (EADD)PROJECT -UGANDA LAUNCHED

Upcoming events

• Another batch of selected farmers

from EADD sites to visit Kenya hubs

in October 2008

• First chilling plant set to be installed

in December 2008

EADD-UGANDA NEWSLETTER

HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL UGANDA

Issue 1

September 2008

Launching the EADD–Uganda Pg 2

EADD Uganda progress activities Pg 3-6

Employee news Pg 7-15

Picture gallery Pg 16

The East African Dairy Development Project (EADDP) was officially launched at Hotel Af-ricana in Kampala on 24th July 2008. EADDP was launched by the Honorable Minister of State for Animal Industry, Mr. Fred Mukisa, who expressed great honor to perform the task of officially launching of the project. The aim of the launch was to introduce the project to the stakeholders, intended benefici-aries, funding organizations and to the general public and to provide a forum for informative exchange especially on how to work together to make the project achieve the set milestones. This was to ensure that the overall vision, ob-jectives and activities of the project are under-stood and know how different stakeholders would contribute to the successful implemen-tation of the project.

The Minister observed that the annual milk yield of 900, 000 tones, is against a requirement of 4.8 million tones thus any strategic interven-tion in the dairy sector is a positive step to-wards the development of the sector. He also noted that the volume of milk col-lected, processed and packaged has increased significantly and there is no doubt that the Dairy sector is developing and is one of the ways of boosting the incomes of the rural poor. He noted that Heifer Project international Uganda (HPI-U) has embraced practical ap-proaches to using livestock as an entry point to poverty reduction amongst the rural poor as articulated in the Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA). It is with this vision that Heifer Project International received a four-year $42.8 million grant (of which 10.6 mil-lion is for Uganda) from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to fund a project to help poor rural farmers in E.A. double their incomes by increasing their production of high quality raw milk to sell to dairies. On behalf of government, the Minister called on all development agencies and partners to

continue to support the poverty reduction programs to improve the livelihood of the rural poor and sustainably care for the earth for the future generations. In his welcome statement, the Country Director HPI Uganda, Mr. Patrick Nalere stated that the vision of EADD was to transform the lives of 179,000 house-holds (about 1 million people) in the region by doubling their household dairy income by 2012 through inte-grated interventions in dairy production, market access and knowledge application.

During the launch, the Country Project Manager (CPM), Mr. William Matovu, gave an overview of the EADD. He informed participants that the aim of EADD is to move smallholder farmers out of poverty by im-proving their participation in the dairy value chain and making profit. He also highlighted that the project

would engage in 3 major activities of ; Generating information for decision making on the dairy value chain, Expanding dairy mar-kets and increasing market access for smallholder farmers and Sus-tainably increasing dairy produc-

tivity and efficiency.

He clearly outlined the project beneficiaries in Uganda as being 45,000 poor smallholder dairy families that earn less than $ 2 per adult and have 1-5 cows

In his presentation at the launch, the Country Director of Technoserve Mr. Erastus Kibugu, gave a brief of TNS activities. He also made a comprehensive illustra-tion of the Business hub approach to the dairy business service delivery, which, he said has four key steps; milk production, chilling, processing & packing and trans-portation and retail.

At the launch, Hajj Mohamed Mubiru from Luweero HPI project, gave a testimony of how his group of Lu-weero Church of Uganda has benefited from Heifer in-terventions. Participants were drawn from the line ministries and district departments, partner organizations, service pro-viders, potential beneficiaries, and other key stake-holders.

Page 2

Launching of the EADD– Uganda

EADD-UGANDA NEWSLETTER

“Some of the challenges we are facing today as

farmers include lack of proper milk marketing chan-

nels, poor milk quality, lack of cooling and process-

ing facilities and lack of artificial insemination ser-

vices. We are optimistic that EADDP has come at the

right time to help us reduce some of these chal-

lenges” Hajj Mohamed Mubiru

EADDP –Uganda staff standing in front of the EADDP Office when they hosted Prof. Sahr Lebby , the Vice President Africa Area Program, HPI (standing 8th from Left)

ISSUE 1

At the beginning of July 2008, EADD staff were able to move into their office premises located on plot 14 Lourdel road in Nakasero, Kampala, just a few blocks away from HPI-Uganda office.

This was after a few months of renovation of the premises, for-merly used for residential purposes. The office premises comprises of one big housing unit and two smaller ones. The office houses all the EADDP stall from all the im-plementing partners in Uganda i.e. HPI-U, TNS, ABS TCM and ICRAF.

HPI received a 4 year grant from the BMGF to help poor rural farmers in East Africa double their In-comes by increasing their production of high quality raw milk to sell to dairies EADD seeks to improve on-farm production and Market access. On-farm production will be improved by: increasing the volume of milk produced, improving milk quality and re-ducing loss through spoilage, and providing access to produc-tion inputs through business de-livery services. Milk production will be in-creased through artificial insemi-nation (AI) to improve local breeds of dairy cows and through improved animal nutri-tion. The project will also enhance the dairy farmers’ understanding of fundamental busi-ness practices and ability to access finances. Market access will be improved by: developing local hubs of business delivery services and CPs that fa-cilitate market access, linking producers to formal markets through processors, and increasing produc-ers’ benefit from traditional markets.

The project will accomplish these aims through coordi-nated, farmer-focused interventions that integrate to de-velop small holder profit-participation in the dairy value chain. The project will provide extensive training in or-ganization development and dynamics, animal agriculture, business practices, plus other related subjects. Women will be particularly targeted for inclusion in both the bene-fits and leadership.

In Uganda, EADD will help 45,000 families lift themselves out of poverty by developing 10 milk collection hubs with CPs where farmers will bring raw milk for bulking and chilling before pick-up by commercial dairies. Addi-tionally, 5 traditional hubs TMs will be established where activities will seek to achieve multiple goals includ-ing to: provide a range of business services to farmers and traditional traders; leverage the farmers’ position

with traditional traders through collective bargaining; and improve the demand for quality milk. The project is being implemented in the districts of Sem-babule, Masaka, Mpigi, Wakiso, Mityana, Kiboga, Na-kaseke, Luweero, Nakasongora, Masindi, Mukono, Kayunga and Jinja.

Page 3

EADD acquires office space

About EADD

kungiri, Apach, Masindi and Sironko.

The course was conducted through lectures, audio-visual DVDs and VHS, participatory and intense practical sessions carried out at Buyana Stock Farm (Makerere university Farm) and at Mukono ZARDI who provided animals for use for AI , milk quality and Genetics Management Systems practice.

ABS TCM organized a refresher training course in Artifi-cial Insemination (AI) at Mukono Zonal Agricultural Re-search Development Institute (ZARDI) from 17th –19th June 2008.

The purpose of the training was to introduce and update the animal health service providers to modern animal breeding and milk quality assurance technologies.

The objectives were to: refresh inseminators on the practical procedures in AI; impart knowledge and skills in mastitis prevention, control and prac-tical use of udder care products; build capacity of service providers in quality milk, quality services and products; build capacity of service providers in business skills and record keeping in animal industry services’ provision

The course was facilitated by Dr. Nathaniel Ma-koni (Director ABS TCM), Dr. Benon Kanyima ( Faculty of Veterinary medicine Makerere uni-versity) and Mr. Dedas M. Ikamba ( ABS TCM Kenya).

The training was officially opened by Dr. Marga-ret Makuru, the Deputy Country Director HPI-Uganda

The course was attended by 36 participants drawn from the EADDP target districts. Other 8 partici-pants sponsored by HPI-U were drawn from the districts of Gulu, Pallisa, Iganga, Mbale, Ru-

An orientation workshop was conducted for all EADDP tech-nical staff from 2nd – 4th July 2008 at Hotel Equatoria in Kampala. The aim of the workshop was to provide orientation for the staff and be able to collectively appreciate the tasks ahead. The specific Objectives were to:

• Create a clear understanding of who (staff, consortium organizations, stakeholders) is involved

• Build a team that will be able to effectively execute the task with a professional and social understanding.

• Discuss the major contents of the project in particular the vision, mission, objectives, expected outcomes, mile-stones, values governing the project and the hub model.

• Define EADDP ‘partnership’ to ensure the success of the project (challenges, opportunities, threats, strengths, working mechanism, reporting, performance reviews, roles and responsibilities, staff development)

• Draft and harmonize quarter 3 and 4 work plans and agree on the farmer mobilization strategy.

In addition to the EADDP-Uganda staff, the workshop was also attended by the regional coordinator of EADDP, Mr. Moses Nyabila from Nairobi and Mr. Brian McBrearity

Page 4

ABS TCM conducts AI Training

Induction Workshop conducted for EADD staff

EADD-UGANDA NEWSLETTER

Participants taking part in a practical session of AI during the training

from TNS Kenya.

The workshop was also attended by HPI-Uganda CD, Mr. Patrick Nalere and the CD of TNS Uganda, Mr. Erastus Kibugu.

EADD –Uganda staff performing a role play during the staff induction workshop

Uganda has a target of establishing 2 CPs and 1 TM in yr1. Activities of farmer mobiliza-tions have started and are con-tinuing in the selected EADD sites, with the initial concen-tration on the priority sites of Kiboga, Masindi and Luweero.

Sensitization activities include field visits and meetings be-tween EADD and district lead-ers, district technical staff, farmer leaders, farmers and other key stakeholders in the diary value chain. The mes-sages focus on EADD, and explanation of the hub mod-els, both CP and TM. In addi-tion, district farmer business

associations (DFBA) and CP site specific data/ information is being collected for CP feasibility assessments and business plans. EADD is also working with part-ners to mobilize farmers to form DFBAs and raise equity through sell of shares

Outputs during mobilization ac-tivities include: Profiles of DFBAs and CP sites, Lists and numbers of small holder farmers and other project participants, Model farmers/TOTs identified per hub, BDS providers and their profiles identified per hub and market information.

Some EADDP-Uganda staff sensitizing some district leaders in Masindi

ISSUE 1

For each of EADD-Uganda target districts specific, activi-ties have been going on for the selection of potential sites for both the TMs and CPs.

For the past 3 months, EADDP staff have been involved in the site selection process. Several key informants/ dairy value chain participants were interviewed providing useful information about the dairy situation in the different project districts. The information was used to map the distribution of dairy farming, marketing, business development services (BDS), existing milk cool-ing plants and to select the areas (sub-counties) with the greatest potential for successful establishment of CP TM and hubs. The selected areas were visited and the data collection tool/checklist developed by ILRI was administered.

Among the key infor-mants interviewed were the District Veterinary Officers, local Veterinary/Livestock extension work-ers, farmer group leaders, bulk milk traders and transporters, business de-velopment service (BDS) providers, milk cooling plant operators, lead farm-ers and political leaders. Also interviewed were persons implementing projects that support smallholder farmers, NGO workers and staff of dairy processing compa-nies. Secondary data on cattle numbers, milk production and

marketing statistics, dairy farming households, farmer groups and community based organisations was obtained from differ-ent sources and used to identify potential sites for the CP and TM hubs.

Data Collection

The data captured included location, existing farmer groups, milk yields, prices, existing markets, entrepreneurship, market dynamics, CP feasibility, AI, dairy feeding system, physical

infrastructure (particularly roads), utilities (water, elec-tricity, telephone), breeds of cattle and the dairy farming system. In addition, data was captured on volumes of milk marketed by the farmer groups, major milk traders in the area, BDS Providers, key dairy value chain participants and their capacities.

Data Analysis and Prelimi-

nary site selection

Basing on the information/data collected from different sites, qualitative and quantita-tive assessments of the suit-ability of each site for a CP or TM was done, and sites were later ranked in order of prior-ity.

The priority sites for CPs are Masindi, Kiboga and

Katuugo. The priority sites for TMs are Luweero and Bubuusi.

Page 5

EADD Site selection

Some EADDP-Uganda staff having a discussion with some milk traders in Kiboga

Farmer Sensitization and Mobilization

Page 6

HPI farmer groups sensitized about EADD

EADD-UGANDA NEWSLETTER

EADD organized a one day sensitization meeting for HPI farmer groups at Kolping House, Kampala, on 15th August 2008. The main objective of the meeting was to sensi-tize Heifer Project HPI Farmer Group Hold-ers, Chairpersons, Extension Staff and other stakeholders about EADD. After the meeting, an action plan and way forward was devel-oped.

HPI project holders discussing their roles and challenges in EADDP during their sensitization workshop

EADDP Uganda has hosted some very important visitors during this period. Among them:

Sahr Lebby (Vice President Africa Area Program, HPI)

Simon Winters (Vice president TNS Africa Division)

Moses Nyabila ( Regional Director EADDP)

Three farmers ( Hajj Mohammed Mubiru from Luweero, Hajj Bruhan Kigoye and M/s Asha Juto from Masindi) from selected EADDP sites participated in the Eastern and Southern Africa Dairy Association conference and exhibition in Nai-robi from 2nd –6th August 08. While there, they also got the opportunity to visit some successful hubs of Muki, Nyala, Githunguri, Maffad and Lari where they acquired new ideas that they will help to pass on to other farmers.

Selected farmers visit Kenya dairy hubs

“I learnt a new technique of planting pastures in 2 rows I learnt a new technique of planting pastures in 2 rows I learnt a new technique of planting pastures in 2 rows I learnt a new technique of planting pastures in 2 rows

which I really thought was simple, easy and yields more. which I really thought was simple, easy and yields more. which I really thought was simple, easy and yields more. which I really thought was simple, easy and yields more.

I am going to do it on my farm and teach others how to I am going to do it on my farm and teach others how to I am going to do it on my farm and teach others how to I am going to do it on my farm and teach others how to

do it” says Ms Asha Juto after visiting some dairy farm-do it” says Ms Asha Juto after visiting some dairy farm-do it” says Ms Asha Juto after visiting some dairy farm-do it” says Ms Asha Juto after visiting some dairy farm-

ers in Kenyaers in Kenyaers in Kenyaers in Kenya

EADD-Uganda hosts some important visitors

Photo Gallery

Participants during a farmer sensitization meeting in Luweero Sahr Lebby talking to some farmers during his visit to EADD

Presentation during the HPI farmer groups sensitization workshop Some EADD-Uganda staff during the staff induction workshop Conducting AI training

Some milk in plastic containers at a collection centre in

Nakasongola

Milk transportation by informal milk traders Milk containers at a milk cooler in Kayunga

Moses Nyabila speaking during a sensitization meeting

in Kiboga

Members of Kiboga West cooperative in a meeting

with EADD staff

Taking milk measurement at JESA Dairy Farm

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A calf produced by AI