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More Milk For Malawi - SAC And Barony To Aid Dairy Industry Development

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N24
Published: 07 Apr 2010

Dairy farming in Malawi (opens in new window)

SAC is to lead a new three-year programme designed to increase and develop the technical knowledge of dairy farmers in Malawi.

It will reduce rural poverty, increase food security and economic growth.  The programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government through its International Development Programme, will involve collaboration with the Barony College in Dumfries and Malawi’s Bunda College.  It will build on an existing scheme designed to help small-scale dairy producers in the central and northern regions of the country.

The project team leader is Dr. Mizeck Chagunda based at the SAC Dairy Research Centre at the Crichton in Dumfries. The total award for the new project, which runs from 2010 to 2013, is £366,665.00.  It will establish a Dairy Learning Resource Centre and promote a Rural Industries Diploma Programme.

Dr. Chagunda comments,

“Dairy farming in Malawi is becoming increasingly important, not only for improved livelihoods but also for better nutrition security.  However, there is a general lack of experts with the practical skills that can help farmers produce to optimum levels.  It is in this respect that we hope the project will contribute.”

Although the project was conceived by Bunda College, it was quickly acknowledged that the experience of SAC and the Barony College would be important for developing and delivering a robust, relevant diploma course.  Both SAC and the Barony have successfully developed and validated courses linked with industry partners. 

Russell Marchant, the Principal and Chief Executive of Barony College, is delighted to be part of a comprehensive collaboration which he believes will be of enormous benefit to dairy farmers in Malawi.

“We bring our experience of practical skills training and framework development to the group and look forward to working with our partners to develop a qualifications structure and delivery model that will help build a future for milk producers Malawi.” 
 
The existing project under way in Malawi is to increase the efficiency of small-scale dairy producers in that country and boost production.  It involves training of extension workers to take the new information out to smallholders in local villages. There are additional training programmes on milk quality, forage production, cattle fertility, record keeping and cattle nutrition.  It has assisted with three MSc studentships and the exchange of staff, with an SAC researcher working at Bunda College and a Bunda College senior lecturer studying for a PhD in Scotland.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Dr Mizeck Chagunda
Dairy Systems Researcher
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work Dairy Services Unit, SAC, Hestan House, The Crichton,
Dumfries
DG1 4TA
TelWork 01387 263961
Fax 01387 251789

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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