SAC Strengthens Links with Malawi Memorandum of Understanding to Lead to Mutual Benefits
Bunda College/University of Malawi deals with issues of agriculture, rural development, environment and natural resources. Currently, Bunda College has 1300 students at both undergraduate and post graduate level. SAC has been working with staff at Bunda College and other research partners for over three years. The majority of the work is livestock related with staff from SACs Dairy Research Centre at Crichton Royal, Dumfries regularly travelling to the country to work with dairy farmers, technicians and researchers.
The signing of the MoU took place during a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner to Malawi Mr Fergus Cochran-Dyet. It was signed by Bunda College Principal Professor Moses Kwapata and Professor Geoff Simm, SAC Academic Director and Vice-Principal (Research) to cement the growing relationship between Bunda and our other joint partners in Malawi. The aim is to expand beyond the current animal science projects and help address the grand challenges of global food security, climate change and the sustainable use of natural resources.
According to Professor Geoff Simm it is very much a two way agreement,
Bunda College agricultural and rural research has a major role to play in helping tackle the immense challenges of improving global food security, living with global environmental change and making more sustainable use of our depleting natural resources. Working with Bunda and other partners on dairy projects over the last few years has given us a much wider perspective on these issues.
Our next aim is to broaden the collaboration beyond dairying to other livestock or crop systems and wider rural sociological issues. The partnership is very definitely two way, we have much to learn from Malawi about truly sustainable systems, resilience and efficient use of resources. We face shared challenges of identifying and reducing barriers to change. The Memorandum gives us a strong platform on which to grow together.
A week before the signing Alex Ferguson MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, who was making his own visit to Malawi, visited Bunda College and its farm where he saw the recently expanded dairy herd. He also met Ayr based, SAC Veterinary Investigation Officer, Helen Carty and Ainsley Bagnal from Dairy Research, Dumfries. They were training 35 farmers advisers and research technicians on aspects of dairy cattle health, husbandry and recording. This included cow condition scoring, calf management and disease control.
Helen Carty commented.
During the course we emphasised the need to have a consistent approach to animal health and recording. With a few important changes to management I am sure that milk yields and health of local dairy cows could be improved.
Before returning to Scotland Dr. Dave Roberts and Dr Mizeck Chagunda, two of the SAC delegation from Dumfries, led an end of programme workshop on optimising smallholder dairying. Begun in 2008 and funded by Scottish Government the project involves University of Malawi (Bunda College), The Government of Malawi and local dairy farmers. Dairying is important for many poor families in Malawi, providing valuable food products, a regular income and work.
There are several other ongoing projects, including one aimed at establishing a sustainable dairy farming system in Mzimba District that improves dairy farming practices linked to sustainable land use, environmental protection and better livelihoods. This is in partnership with Mzuzu University, funded by DIFD through the DeIPHE programme. In addition a Dairy Diploma is under development, in conjunction with Bunda College and Barony College, Dumfries. A member of staff from University of Malawi is completing her PhD in Dumfries, funded by the Flanders Project.
Smallholder Dairy Farming in Malawi
– Smallholder dairy producers in Malawi have the potential to exploit their competitiveness to supply milk, given the existing gap in market requirements in milk and milk products.
– Smallholder dairy production is an important agricultural activity for many poor families in Malawi, producing valuable food products and providing a regular income and work.
– Dairying also provides much of the cash needed to support rural livelihoods and start other rural
ventures.
– Supplies 60% of total milk consumed in Malawi
Consumption/Products
– Malawi consumes 42000metric tonnes of milk per year – On average, Malawian consume only 3.8kg milk per person per year – Malawians get 7.5 calories energy and 1.2 grams protein per day from milk and milk products – Milk mostly consumed as liquid milk.
Challenges
– Feed and feeding resources – Production environment – Animal breeding support services – Inadequate extension services – Disease control – Milk keeping quality
Malawi Government Policy
– Dairy has been made the flag-carrier for the Department of Animal Health and Livestock
SAC Projects:
Optimising Smallholder Dairying Project
(2008 -2011)
This is a capacity building project involving SAC,
University of Malawi (Bunda College), Government of
Malawi and Smallholder dairy farmers in Malawi. Project
delivered through, training of farmers and training of
trainers including MSc level.
The three year project funded by Scottish Government
Sustainable Dairy Farming Systems Project
(2008 2011)
The project is aimed at enhancing modern dairy farming
practices for sustainable land use, environmental
protection and improved rural livelihoods in Mzimba
District Malawi.
A three-year project in partnership with Mzuzu
University funded by DIFD through DelPHE programme
Dairy Diploma Programme (2010 2013)
This is a three year project aiming at working together
with Bunda College to develop a practically oriented
Dairy Diploma Programme.
Project funded by Scottish Government.
PhD Studentship (2010 2013)
We currently have a PhD student who is a member of
staff at the University of Malawi doing her PhD at the
SAC Dairy Research Centre.
The three-year Studentship funded by Flanders Project.