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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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