Project title: Enhancing Dairy-based Livelihoods in India and the United Republic of
Tanzania through Feed Innovation and Value Chain Development Approaches
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Grant number: G-I-R-1311-ILRI
Annual Project Report
For Jan 2013 – Dec 2013
Recipient:
International Livestock
Research Institute
Programme
Partner:
For further information, contact:
Dr Alan Duncan
International Livestock Research Institute,
PO Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel : +251 11 617 2223
Email: a.duncan@cgiar.org
Annual Project Report
Jan 2013 – Dec 2013
Title of Programme:
Enhancing Dairy-based Livelihoods in India and the
United Republic of Tanzania through Feed Innovation
and Value Chain Development Approaches
TAG Number:
G-I-R-1311-ILRI
IFAD Task Manager:
Antonio Rota
Implementing Institution and
Grant Recipient:
International Livestock Research Institute
(ILRI)
Programme Partner:
International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
Grant Coordinator:
Alan Duncan
Principal Scientists:
Dr Alan Duncan, ILRI, Ethiopia. a.duncan@cgiar.org
Dr Nils Teufel, ILRI, India. n.teufel@cgiar.org
Dr Brigitte Maass, CIAT, Nairobi. b.maass@cgiar.org
National Scientists:
Fred Wassena, CIAT-Morogoro, f.j.wassena@cgiar.org
Thanammal Ravichandran, ILRI-Almora
t.ravichandran@cgiar.org
Specialist Scientists:
Dr Ben Lukuyu, ILRI, Nairobi. b.lukuyu@cgiar.org
Dr Michael Blummel, ILRI, India.
m.blummel@cgiar.org
Effective Starting Date
Nov 4, 2011
Duration:
3 years
Grant Amount:
$1.0 million (USD)
Cumulative disbursement from
IFAD grant (as of report date):
Reporting period:
Jan 2013 – Dec 2013
Date:
Jan 11, 2014
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1. Project purpose
To contribute to improved dairy-supported livelihoods in India and Tanzania via
intensification of smallholder production focusing on feed enhancement using innovation
and value chain approaches. Links to grant policy: innovative technologies and
approaches, capacity strengthening, knowledge sharing.
2. Project Outputs
1a. Mechanisms for enhancing innovation capacity through local stakeholder platforms
to address dairy value chain constraints
1b. Approaches for involving local stakeholders in analysis of feed-related aspects of the
dairy value chain
1c. Identification of intervention strategies emerging from dairy value chain analysis
2a. Strategies for implementing local feed-related innovations emerging from
stakeholder platforms with the potential to enhance dairy incomes
2b. Methods for enhancing diffusion of local feed-related innovations among dairy
smallholders with the potential for income benefits through productivity increases
2c. Strategic lesson learning on appropriate dairy feeding strategies and technologies
3a. Mechanisms for sharing knowledge at local and regional levels
3b. Mechanisms for sharing knowledge across project countries and among global R4D
projects
3. Collaborators and institutional affiliation
Tanzania
Prof Germana Laswai and Prof E.A. Kimambo: Sokoine University of Agriculture,
Department of Animal Science and Production, Morogoro, Tanzania
Dr Julius Bwire: Tanzania Livestock Research Institute – Tanga-Centre, Tanga,
Tanzania
India
Sonali Bisht, Bharat Bisht Singh, Ghirish C Pant, Institute of Himalayan Environmental
Research and Education (INHERE), Masi (Uttarakhand, India)
Mukul Prakash, Atul Shah, Kuldeep Thapiyal, Central Himalayan Rural Action Group
(CHIRAG), Simial (Uttarakhand, India)
More MilkIT project (Irish Aid funded sister project)
Dr Amos Omore, International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya a.omore@cgiar.org
Progress report
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4. Summary of progress in reporting period
In Tanzania, site selection was finalized in Handeni and Lushoto Districts. Training on
the use of the FEAST tool and subsequent feed assessments were carried out. FEAST
feedback meetings were conducted with stakeholders at both village and district level. A
first Morogoro regional stakeholder meeting was held.
Feedback meetings at district level were conducted for sharing, verifying results and
identifying challenges to align with district development plans. The MilkIT team
participated in launching the Tanzania Dairy Development Forum (DDF), and several
workshops conducted by the MoreMilkiT project aiming to harmonize all actors along the
development of the dairy value chain. Eight village innovation platforms have been
established after a process of mobilization and sensitization in partnership with TALIRI,
the MoreMilkiT team, Heifer International, Tanzanian Dairy Board (TDB), an NGO
implementing development services for livestock keepers (HMWA) and others.
In India the dairy value chain IPs continued with regular meetings and follow-ups.
Innovations in marketing activities were operationalised both in Bageshwar and Sult
DVC IPs: In Bageshwar a producer co-operative hired a milk shop in town and started
selling milk to consumers directly. In Sult, the state dairy co-operative was convinced to
set up a collection centre in villages previously un-connected to formal milk collection.
One village cluster decided to withdraw from innovation platform activities because it
feared social tensions if within-village milk marketing were to be affected. After their
inception earlier in the year the feed innovation platforms gained momentum. Various
feed interventions were discussed and several introduced. Grass planting activities were
constrained by access to appropriate seeds and by unsuitable weather. Reducing fodder
wastage through feeding troughs and fodder choppers emerged as an attractive entry
point for improving efficiency of feed resource utilisation. Apart from the technical
developments, innovation platform participants repeatedly stressed the importance of
improved self-organisation beyond village and institutional boundaries as well as
communication amongst all stakeholders. The successes are well received by IFAD staff
who are eager to incorporate the approaches into the upcoming ILSP programme.
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5. Implemented work programme and results per output and activity
Report on 2013 progress for Tanzania
Activities
Tanzania Project Coordinator: Dr Brigitte Maass, CIAT, Nairobi, Kenya b.maass@cgiar.org
Partners
Description of activities
2013 Progress Report
Component 1. Institutional strengthening
1a. Mechanisms for
enhancing innovation
capacity through local
stakeholder platforms to
address dairy value chain
constraints
Ground-truthing in the Regions for final
decision on 8 villages for interventions; site
selection process documented in report
Assess stakeholders + actors along DVC at
district level; produce report
Gather information from key informants/
stakeholders in Morogoro
Engage and/or establish regional platforms in
Tanga + Morogoro; develop operational plans;
document process in detail
Establish site platforms (in 8 villages);
platform officials elected; document process
in detail
1b. Approaches for
involving local
stakeholders in analysis of
dairy value chain
Extract relevant information from MoreMilkiT
report + compile in project report; share
findings with intervention villages; potentially
amend findings
Based on the household survey and ground-truthing, 4 villages in each of the two study
districts were selected for research; Wami Sokoine and Manyinga in Mvomero District (ruralurban), and Mbwade and Twatwatwa in Kilosa District (rural-rural) of Morogoro Region;
Mbuzii and Ubiri for Lushoto District (r-u), and Kibaya and Sindeni for Handeni District (r-r) in
Tanga Region.
In both regions, several meetings were convened with stakeholders at village level to provide
feedback on FEAST and dairy value chain (DVC) assessments in the process of establishing
innovation platforms (IP). Other meetings were held with District Council Management
Teams (CMT) in Mvomero and Kilosa Districts, to introduce the two projects (MilkIT and
MoreMilkiT), understand the council plans in relation to identified challenges in the villages
and share ideas on how to address them. These meetings strengthened the linkages
between IPs and district councils, and influenced policy in a sense that some issues
identified as constraints or opportunities were agreed to be incorporated into specific district
strategic plans in the future; these issues included land shortage, markets, inputs and
services, and pasture management.
After village mobilization and sensitization meetings in the process of establishing IPs, village
platform leaders were elected in all 8 villages. In each IP, 60% of members are producers
and 40% are other available stakeholders. A consultant has been engaged to facilitate IP
functioning, also to be documented in a booklet, containing work plans that address identified
constraints; this is on-going and expected to be completed in early 2014.
A preliminary Dairy IP meeting was held with various regional stakeholders in Morogoro in
April; this served to introduce the projects, help identify additional stakeholders and initiate
the process of establishing a Regional Dairy Platform in Morogoro. In all the meetings held,
the idea of establishing IPs was well received and plans put in place for establishing them.
In collaboration with the More-MilkiT project, a household survey was carried out to
determine household numbers, livestock population (by breed and type) and production,
always taking into account gender. Again, together with the MoreMilkiT project, a baseline
survey has been designed and completed in selected villages in the four districts in
Tanzania; data remain to be analyzed.
Project activities in the Morogoro sites were performed jointly with TALIRI (J. Bwire to lead
the process due to his experience on IPs) and others, including the MoreMilkiT project,
development partners such as Heifer Project International (HPI) and Tanzania Dairy Board
(TDB) all under one movement named ‘Maziwa Zaidi’ (i.e., ‘more milk’ in Kiswahili). Some of
the Regional Platform and District council members have been involved in these forums; this
secures information flow across different levels of IPs.
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1c. Basket of intervention
strategies emerging from
dairy value chain analysis
Review DVC reports + literature review
regarding potential feed supply and feed use;
discuss findings in IP's
Identify DVC interventions; agree on action
plan; involve associated DVC projects within
CRP3.7
So far, the MilkIT project has focused on feed-related interventions only as the MoreMilkiT
project addresses the marketing end and input supplies and service provisions of the DVC.
Past technological feed-related interventions have been reviewed. The main historical
interventions showing promise to improve dairy production include: forage seed production
and reseeding of natural pastures, planted improved and drought-tolerant pasture and fodder
species in home gardens, feed conservation in form of standing hay, hay-making and storing
crop residues like maize stover, straws, and bean haulms. Others are treatment of lowquality roughages to improve feeding values using different chemicals such as urea, NaOH,
ammonia, locally mined crude sodium carbonate (‘magadi’, in Kiswahili) and wood ash; and
strategic feeding through the use of concentrates or compounded feeds and
supplementation of animals.
The main lessons learned are that interventions have so far been perceived from a
technology perspective alone, and only a limited number of these technologies have been
adopted by livestock farmers. Reasons for this could be the high costs of technologies in
terms of labour and accessibility; their proper packaging and dissemination has also been a
problem. Cost-effective technologies, which can easily be adopted by smallholder farmers
are needed. Furthermore, for successful adoption farmers need to have some sense of
ownership of the technologies. Also an adequate technology dissemination approach to
assure sustainability of interventions is necessary. Most previous feed interventions have
been limited to intensive smallholder dairy production. There is a general lack of
interventions for extensive production systems with relatively large cattle herds. This is a
challenge, especially where shortage of water and pasture during the dry season force
herders to migrate to crop-cultivated areas, creating serious conflicts between herders and
farmers.
Meetings with village IP committee members in Morogoro sites were held to discuss and
agree on possible feed interventions in each village IP; feed interventions agreed upon were:

Bush clearing and pasture over-sowing in Mbwade and Twatwatwa.

Establishment of pasture demonstration plots with action learning on forage types,
pasture establishment, management and forage harvesting and conservation in Wami
Sokoine.

Action research in Manyinga to identify the real cause for low milk production that could
be caused by genetic makeup of animals, poor nutrition or general animal husbandry
problems. Action research and some data generation by students were proposed.

Training on feeds, feeding and general animal husbandry procedures were proposed in
all IPs.
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Component 2 Productivity
2a. Strategies for
implementing local feedrelated innovations
emerging from stakeholder
platforms that enhance
dairy incomes
Training local partners + stakeholders on
FEAST tool
Compile inventory of feed agents/
types/sources in + around intervention sites;
write report + provide feed back to village IP's
Participatory characterization of feeding
systems; write report + provide feed back to
village IP's
Design, implement + share knowledge from
site-specific farmer experimentation based on
decisions from village IP's; develop village
actor workplans
Estimate costs/benefits of interventions from
farmer experimentation (TechFit)
2b. Methods for enhancing
diffusion of local feedrelated innovations among
dairy smallholders for
income benefits through
productivity increases
Involve local experts, decision makers, input
suppliers + other DVC actors in village IP's
2c. Strategic lesson
learning on appropriate
dairy feeding strategies
and technologies
Complete baseline study at village +
household level (ongoing); analyze data +
document main findings for 8 villages in a
report; possibly engage PhD student
Link with associated DVC projects within
CRP3.7 to identify opportunities in other
action sites
Document current feed-related development
activities at district/regional levels, incl.
successes + failures of feed technology and
strategy options.
Scientists and various partners were trained on the use of the FEAST tool for feed resource
assessment. FEAST was conducted in all 8 villages chosen for future feed-related
interventions. Sensitization visits and further meetings in the villages were based upon
FEAST results in order to set up village innovation platforms (IPs). Synergizing the identified
challenges and opportunities with district development plans has helped in mobilization and
sensitization of stakeholders to facilitate subsequent IP meetings.
A field collection of forages is maintained in Tanga, where different forage species are
evaluated and multiplied; to this collection further grass species have been introduced,
including new lines/cultivars of Napier grass, Brachiaria (cv. Mulato II) and Guinea grass
provided by CIAT and ILRI.
In Morogoro, village IPs in Mbwade and Wami Sokoine have set aside 2 acres each for
demonstrations on bush clearing and pasture over-sowing. IP members are in a process of
fencing the area and preparing the land, while researchers are helping with an applied
research design. Sourced pasture species are Cenchrus ciliaris, Stylosanthes hamata cv.
Verano and S. scabra cv. Seca.
Action research is being prepared in Manyinga on feeding, using animals of different stages
of lactation. Farmers’ normal feeding practice will be taken as control.
One approach for enhancing local diffusion of feed innovations will be the discussion of local
activities among village IP members and the representation of District council members in
both village IPs and Regional Dairy Platforms. Also, farmer-to-farmer visits are planned with
participants as soon as feed-related interventions have been implemented in the field.
FEAST results were compiled in 4 district reports during a writeshop in Arusha in March
2013 and shared in feedback meetings in all the 8 villages. Detailed analysis of the data has
yet to be completed to be able to draw generalizable lessons from the results. Major lessons
learned so that improved technologies will be adopted are the need for cost-effective feeding
technologies, adequate dissemination approaches, creation of ownership, and continuous
training and learning. There is an urgent need to further search for appropriate interventions
for extensive livestock production systems; note that 3 villages selected in Morogoro and 2 in
Tanga are under extensive production system. It is expected that the application of TechFit
will help to understand the rationing of farmers for adoption or non-adoption of technologies.
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Component 3. Knowledge sharing
3a. Mechanisms for
sharing knowledge at local
and regional levels
Design assessment instrument: map
knowledge net with village IP's; contemplate
results; possibly involve MSc students
The MilkIT project is closely collaborating with various other projects that contribute to the
dairy value chain (DVC) development in Tanzania under the CGIAR ‘Livestock & Fish’ (CRP
3.7) program, and particularly with the MoreMilkiT project.
Participatory decision on strategy with village
IP's; create communication products
Country project team meetings were held in conjunction with other DVC workshops in order
to briefly review project progress and work plans, taking advantage of most team members
being present: On 19.01.2013 in Dar es Salaam, 28.03.2013 in Arusha, 09.05.2013 in Dar es
Salaam, 25.10.2013 in Arusha. Otherwise, email correspondence or relatively regular skype
meetings are held for coordination and up-dating.
Design communication strategy between
regional + village IP's; expand to other players
in CRP3.7
Document knowledge flows among DVC
actors + IP's
Decide on + establish steering group;
coordinate meetings with associated projects
of CRP3.7
Support launch + implementation of
Tanzanian Dairy Development Forum (DDF)
Project team members participated in the launching of the Tanzania Dairy Development
Forum (DDF) on 22.02.2013 and its 2nd meeting (22.08.2013). In mid-December, the agenda
for the 3rd DDF meeting to take place in February 2014 was jointly developed. The MilkIT
project accepted to join forces and work together with several other partners under the goal
of ‘Maziwa Zaidi’ helping to brand DVC development. An oral presentation on MilkIT
activities was given and a project poster was displayed in the annual Milk Week in Songea
end of June 2013. Project team members participated in the Tanga regional dairy platform
committee meeting and a general meeting, where project activities were presented.
Sensitization meetings were held with stakeholders in the two districts of Morogoro, where
district leaders had the opportunity to understand the project’s objectives, outputs and
implementation plans. An experienced project scientist from Tanga Region is constantly
facilitating the organization of village and regional IPs in Morogoro Region.
There has been active engagement with media especially in Kilosa where MilkIT and other
‘Maziwa Zaidi’ activities are being reported in Radio Kilosa and once in Abood Redio.
Project team members participated in several workshops conducted by the MoreMilkiT
project to develop (i) goal and mission of ‘Maziwa Zaidi’; (ii) impact pathways; and (iii)
planning and developing an MLE (monitoring, learning and evaluation) framework for the
overall DVC development in Tanzania.
3b. Mechanisms for
sharing knowledge across
project countries and
among global R4D projects
Plan + conduct annual planning meeting
Produce quarterly technical reports; write
annual report
Information from the meetings and about related activities was shared via the MilkIT Wiki and
through emails.
The MilkIT Wiki was used to share information across the project.
A poster on the usefulness of the FEAST tool was presented at the Tropentag conference
held in Germany in September 2013. (http://milkit.wikispaces.com/Outputs+and+reports)
Draw lessons from documenting IP processes
Project team members attended a supervisory mission of the MilkIT project in India, including
field visits to MilkIT sites (02-08 Dec.).
Project team members participated in the PPMC (Program Planning and Management
Committee) and SPAC (Science & Partnership Advisory Committee) meetings of the
Livestock & Fish CRP in Morogoro, including field visits (09-13 Dec.).
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Report on 2013 progress for India
Activities
Partners
India Project Coordinator: Dr Nils Teufel, ILRI, Delhi, India n.teufel@cgiar.org
Description of activities
2013 Progress Report
Component 1. Institutional strengthening
1a. Mechanisms for
enhancing innovation
capacity through local
stakeholder platforms to
address dairy value chain
constraints
1b. Approaches for
involving local
stakeholders in analysis of
dairy value chain
Assess current intervention strategies (ongoing). Extend documentation of actor
mapping, intervention histories & successes/
failures; include more actors
With the involvement with more development stakeholders in the overall process of dairy
development (e.g. NABARD) more insight into previous and on-going development activities
has been gained and is being documented.
Analyse innovation processes. Improve
standard documentation of innovation
platform activities (meetings, decisions,
follow-ups) with partners; include innovation
mapping exercise
The documentation of IP activities through on-line tools (GoogleDrive) has been fine-tuned
and regularised.
Rapid market appraisal – part of Dairy
Value Chain Assessment (DVCA). Use VCA
tools & net map to identify and characterize
dairy value chains
More insight into structure and functioning of local dairy value chains has been gained
although formal assessment tools are yet to be implemented.
Micro-business training (has to be
developed), based on DVCA. Exposure
visits, training sessions (Aanchal, NABARD,
Nainital university)
Test strategies for engaging local decision
makers. Further develop DVC Innovation
Platform with active participation of various
stakeholders (improve sustainability)
Similar documentation tools have been established for the feed-oriented interventions (e.g.
feeding trials).
As a first ste,p farmer visits to a farmer fair at GB Pant University of Agriculture and
Technology (Pantnagar) and to Anand in Gujrat (Mehsana dairy) were organised to expose
farmers to the opportunities offered by various forms of dairy development. Currently,
interest is more focused on technologies (fodder chopping, cream separation) than on
business development.
The IP meetings, especially the DVC meetings, attracted various other development
stakeholders (NABARD, BAIF, Animal Husbandry Department, KVK, Soil and Water
Conservation Department, Agriculture Department and Chief Development Officer (CDO)) as
an opportunity to identify target groups for other development programmes (dairy animal
upgrading, grass-land improvement, water-shed management). However, active involvement
of these stakeholders in the IPs needs further strengthening.
9
1c. Basket of intervention
strategies emerging from
dairy value chain analysis
Participatory decision-making on
interventions. Value chain interventions are
identified and action plans agreed, as core
activity of DVC IPs.
Participatory SWOT analysis of
interventions. Component of DVC IPs –
continuation from constraint analysis
Detailed documentation of SWOT analysis of
developed interventions and of follow-up of
changes by VC stakeholders (IP members)
Consider other experiences (e.g. mangers,
etc.)
Accessing new markets through Aanchal (Sult) and local milk shops (Bageshwar) has
changed the perspective of dairy producers.
Farmers are gaining awareness about fixing the milk price based on fat and SNF both in Sult
and Bageshwar and farmers are actively contacting the institutions for support to secure
credit/loans to purchase high yielding dairy animals. A management committee has formed
in Bageshwar with representation from each village to increase ownership of the activities of
the dairy co-operative
In Sult, a participatory discussion was conducted in Baseri cluster to assess the reason for a
decrease in milk collection. Aanchal and stakeholders from 3 villages participated and
identified a lack of suppliers’ knowledge in regard to milk quality measurements and pricing
as the main constraint. Subsequently, a training session was organised for women on the
measurement of milk fat and SNF in order to determine milk quality. There was also a
discussion with the animal husbandry (AH) department regarding its crossbred cattle
scheme, which had resulted in the purchase of inferior quality animals. The department
agreed to include farmers’ views while purchasing crossbred animals. One community
member was trained by ULDB for AI (artificial insemination) and first aid treatment.
In Bageshwar, NABARD and the AH department also supported farmers in the purchase of
crossbred animals based on links established in IP meetings.
Currently, discussions are on-going as to how to included buffaloes in dairy upgrading
schemes since according to a number of farmers buffalo milk is better suited to consumer
preferences and production conditions.
IP meetings have been an opportunity to assess the success of implemented interventions.
This aspect needs further strengthening, also to clarify the importance of continuing with IP
meetings.
However, on a village level, issues regarding interventions are actively discussed and
solutions developed (see above).
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Component 2 Productivity
2a. Strategies for
implementing local feedrelated innovations
emerging from stakeholder
platforms that enhance
dairy incomes
Participatory decision-making on
interventions. Promising feed interventions
are identified and action plans agreed (as
core activity of Feed IPs); Use of Techfit can
be considered
Action research of promising
interventions, based on Feed IP decisions.
Design and implement farmer trials with
knowledge sharing/training, based on Feed IP
decisions
Techno-economic analysis of
interventions (ex ante). Estimated
cost/benefits of new chnologies/management
by project partners;aimed primarily at farmer
trials (Techfit application)
Participatory cost-benefit evaluation of
interventions (ex post). Recorded
costs/benefits of new technologies/
management by project partners are analysed
Test strategies for engaging local decision
makers. Develop Feed IPs to include local
experts, decision makers and input suppliers
to complement farmers
In both districts, village level feed interventions started after discussion in the innovation
platform meetings to increase the fodder production through the existing crop system.
Reducing fodder waste was identified as an important issue. Options were investigated to
improve the quality of grass-lands. Identifying improvements with high visibility and early
positive results was important to generate sustained interest in innovation platform activities.
Farmers who had invested in cross-bred cattle showed greater interest in also improving
their feeding system.
Dual purpose maize and millet in the kharif season and dual purpose wheat, barley and oat
in rabi season have been promoted to increase the fodder production. There is an increase
in fodder production (10%) from dual purpose maize in Sult area.
Both temperate and tropical grass-seeds were acquired and tested in feed cluster
settlements. Napier root splits were distributed for planting in combination with training on
improved management.
For prevention of wastage of fodder while feeding, feeding trials are planned in February
next year. Farmers have started to construct feed troughs and feed drums and have started
fodder chopping to increase feed use efficiency. Manual chaff cutting knifes were made
locally for cutting fodder and are being promoted. Two farmers in Bageshwar and one farmer
in Sult have purchased chaff cutters for prevention of wastage of fodder. Farmers who have
invested in crossbred animals have more interest in fodder chopping than those with
indigenous animals.
Some progressive farmers came forward to try urea or molasses treatment of hay.
Silage trials have been started with 12 farmers of both clusters of Kathpuryachina and
Devaldhar.
At the current stage, both the exact definition of interventions (e.g. type of fodder troughs) as
well as their effect (e.g. improved grass productivity) cannot be assessed. Therefore, it
appears to be difficult to assess economic costs and benefits. On the other hand, accepting
and valuing the suggestions by innovation platform participants based on their own
perceptions of constraints and opportunities is most important to achieve active involvement
in the discussions. Once the most promising forms of the various interventions have been
identified and some data of their performance collected, they will be compared in regard to
their resource use efficiency
Local research and development institutions have been positive about the contributions and
approaches of the feed innovation platforms. They appreciate the self-organising aspect of
producers located in scattered settlements into larger groups, which can be more efficiently
targeted for development activities. However, few decision makers see an incentive to
become actively and sustainably involved in innovation platforms. The upcoming ILSP
programme, which is very supportive of the innovation platforms, offers an opportunity to
reach a wider group of decision makers as it will have a greater institutional base.
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2b. Methods for enhancing
diffusion of local feedrelated innovations among
dairy smallholders for
income benefits through
productivity increases
Scaling out of approaches of feed
interventions. Design out-scaling/replication
of Feed IPs and technologies
Create communication products on
benefits/constraints of Feed IPs and feed
interventions (training materials, printed
material etc.)
Support partners implementing IPs in other
sites.
2c. Strategic lesson
learning on appropriate
dairy feeding strategies
and technologies
Base-line survey - FEAST. Village- and
household-level data collection on feed
resources and feeding
Impact analysis/monitoring. Documentation
of behavioural change, intermediate
indicators; Build on reports by partner field
staff (monthly/fortnightly). Link to IFAD M&E
system
The adaptation of various interventions to local conditions and preferences (e.g. grass
varieties, troughs, fodder cutters, hay improvement etc.) is the first step in defining
successful technologies. The aim is to scale these up within an intermediate context such as
the ILSP programme.
However, already at this stage various components for successful scaling-out have become
apparent.
 Involvement of local stakeholders in prioritisation and design ensure active interest.
 Integration of activities into existing groups or establishment of new groups is essential
for generating momentum.
 Exposure to improved technologies already practiced by progressive farmers elsewhere
creates awareness of potential for change.
 Farmer-based demonstrations and trials ensure credibility.
Transparent discussion of problems and a collaborative search for solutions has
strengthened the learning processes.
The FEAST base-line household survey was carried out in 24 settlements in the selected
clusters, with 3 households interviewed in each settlement. Random selection of both
settlements and households ensures representativeness in order to be able to draw
generalizable lessons from the results. Detailed analysis of the data has yet to be completed.
In order to assess the effects of the innovation platform interventions and the resulting
changes a FEAST survey has been conducted in clusters neighbouring the clusters selected
for the innovation platforms. Identifying settlements and listing households is the first step.
Quantitative data has been collected from trial plots considering both improved and standard
practices. And the results are being shared with farmers to show the benefit of the practices
Results have been documented on a project level and discussed in village meetings.
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Component 3. Knowledge sharing
3a. Mechanisms for
sharing knowledge at local
and regional levels
Identify knowledge pathways & gaps.
Knowledge net map (villages, actors);
Knowledge survey (including satisfaction with
knowledge sources)
Various knowledge pathways are being are tested for their efficiency. The combination of
own experience (demonstration, trials, exposure) with expert input (university, KVK,
NABARD, etc.) appears to be most promising. Nevertheless, the absence of a dedicated
extension service to provide continuous and sustainable knowledge support for dairy
development is a critical limitation. Perhaps the Uttarakhand Livestock Development Board
(ULDB) is the local institution best placed to fill this gap.
3b. Mechanisms for
sharing knowledge across
project countries and
among global R4D projects
Design and implement local knowledge
sharing strategy. Build scaling out vision into
Feed &DVC IPs Utilise exposure visits, IFAD
ICT systems. Create communication products
(e.g. photo stories)
Project staff and partners developed shared documents (GoogleDrive) to document IP
meetings and feed interventions. Bi-annual advisory council meetings have informed local
development and research institutions of project progress and allowed for feed-back.
Capacity building of partner staff has been pursued through the quarterly meetings as well as
through training activities by local institutions (GB Pant University of Agriculture and
Technology, Pantnagagr) on major topics of dairy and feed management for all field level
staff. The learnings have been shared with farmers regularly in village level meetings.
Exposure visits were organized for farmers to Pant Nagar farmers’ exhibition to acquire
knowledge at regional level. Staff were exposed to the AMUL Gujarat co-operative system to
gain more knowledge on improved feed management and co-operative principles.
Monitor local knowledge sharing strategy.
Compile documentation of knowledge flows
from IPs (partners/project)
Synthesis and apply lessons. Draw lessons
from IP documentation
On-going knowledge-sharing activities (advisory council meetings, staff trainings,
stakeholder discussions) have been assessed in view of the appreciation of the innovation
platform approach and the opportunities to increase the involvement of various stakeholders.
Material is being gathered and put in order to allow for an efficient synthesis.
Local institutions have been screened for their interest and involvement in various aspects of
dairy value chain and feeding systems development in order to specifically target knowledge
products.
13
6. Summary of major achievements during the reporting period
In Tanzania:





Feed assessments applying the FEAST tool have been carried out in all 8
villages chosen and, after summarizing key findings in district reports,
feedback has been provided to all villages as an important step to engage in
those villages for the later establishment of respective Innovation Platforms.
Also feedback from the earlier focus group discussions along the dairy value
chain has been provided to the villages.
Eight feed-related village innovation platforms are established, some of which
have decided on feed-related action research that is currently being
implemented.
Village level information provided by MilkIT team members in meetings with
the District Council Management Teams (CMT) influenced policy in a sense
that some issues identified as constraints or opportunities were agreed to be
incorporated into specific district strategic plans in the future; these issues
included land shortage, markets, inputs and services, and pasture
management.
The MilkIT project is well integrated with various partners and in a number of
events working under the umbrella of ‘Maziwa Zaidi’, which is also providing
access to and interest by development partners, such as Heifer International
and SNV, who are now collaborating in village- and district-level activities. A
local NGO, HMWA, which is involved with pastoralists in Morogoro
implementing development services for livestock keepers, is now also
engaged with the MilkIT project.
There is active learning happening between the two major partners; TALIRI
from Tanga is assisting in mobilizing stakeholders for setting up the regional
IP in Morogoro, based on their previous experience.
In India:
All IP platforms are functioning and producer involvement and interest is growing.
Milk sales through the systems developed through IP meetings are increasing. In
some settlements the sale of milk is an innovation in itself. Government
associated organisations are participating regularly, directly in IP meetings and
indirectly through their schemes supporting farmers. Farmers have shown an
increased ability to raise important dairy development issues with government
institutions. 13 members from Bageshwar and 7 members from Sult have gained
employment through the Jeganath co-operative and the linkage to Aanchal in
their villages in addition to the increased income for participating farmers (200220 of which are women dairy farmers) through marketing milk in the new
systems (INR 600-1600/month in Bageshwar). The output of these activities is
being regularly documented.
14
Various feed innovations are being developed and are spreading also to nonparticipating IP members. Breed improvement is progressing in some clusters
very fast due to improved market facilities.
7. Outputs: a) products, b) people trained, c) technology transferred, d)
reports and publications, d) presentations in conferences
a) Products
In Tanzania
d) Reports and publications



FEAST District reports and FEAST feedback reports
Village IP reports have been summarized in excel sheets
An Inventory of Potential Feed Related Interventions in the Dairy Sector
around Tanga and Morogoro Regions of Tanzania
e) Presentations at conferences
Maass, B.L., Lukuyu, B., Fakih, A.O., Suleiman, H., Khatib, S., Wassena, F.J.
and Bacigale, S.B. 2013. Assessing feeds and feed availability for dairy cattle
on Pemba Island of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Poster presented at ‘Agricultural
development within the rural-urban continuum’, Tropentag, 17-19 Sep. 2013,
University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. Book of Abstracts p. 354.
(Available at:
http://www.tropentag.de/2013/abstracts/links/Maass_iOeKAFTu.pdf)
Wassena, F.J., Lukuyu, B., Mangesho, W.E., Laswai, G.H., Bwire, J.M.N.,
Kimambo, A.E. and Maass, B.L. 2013. Determining feed resources and
feeding circumstances by applying FEAST: usefulness and lessons learned in
Tanzania. Poster presented at ‘Agricultural development within the ruralurban continuum’, Tropentag, 17-19 Sep. 2013, University of Hohenheim,
Stuttgart, Germany. Book of Abstracts p. 353. (Available at:
http://www.tropentag.de/2013/abstracts/links/Maass_3LNR7sHm.pdf)
b) People trained (with topic and dates)
Names and institutions
Gender
breakdown
Topic
Dates
Fred Wassena, CIAT, Feed Systems Research Assistant
Prof. E.A. Kimambo, SUA, Morogoro
Dr. Julius Bwire, Director, TALIRI, Tanga
Walter Mangesho, Research Officer, TALIRI, Tanga
Anthony Mbeho, Research Office, TALIRI, Mpwapwa
Rose Loina, Research Officer, TALIRI, Tanga
Leonard J. Marwa, Research Officer, TALIRI, West
2 fem.,
5 male
Writeshop
26-28 Mar. 2013 at CIAT,
Arusha
15
Kilimanjaro
Mlelwa Erhard, Dr., Farmer and Veterinary, Tanga Dairy
Platform, Tanga
Abeid M. Kiungulia, Mr., District Livestock Officer, DALDO,
Lushoto
Lekason N. Shayo, Mr., District Livestock Officer, DALDO,
Handeni
Francis Hiza, Mr., Village Livestock Officer, IP/Ward,
Lushoto/Mbuzii
Anna TemuLukindo, Ms., Village Livestock Officer,
IP/Ward, Lushoto/Ubiri
Zuberi O. Mkodo, Mr., Village Livestock Officer, IP/Ward,
Handeni/Sindeni
Elia A. Masasi, Mr., Village Livestock Officer, IP/Ward,
Handeni/Kibaya
John S. Diyu, Mr., Research Officer, TALIRI, Tanga
Flora A. Lukindo, Ms., Research Officer, TALIRI, Tanga
Rose Loina, Ms., Research Officer, TALIRI, Tanga
Samwel Z. Mngulu, Mr., Research Officer, TALIRI, Tanga
Valentino C. Urassa, Mr., Research Officer, TALIRI,
Tanga
Jelly Chang'a, Dr., Research Officer, TALIRI, Tanga
Leonard J. Marwa, Mr., Research Officer, TALIRI,
Kilimanjaro
Paul O. Ochanga, Mr., Research Officer, TALIRI,
Kilimanjaro
Gasper Msimbe, Dr., Regional Livestock Advisor, RAS &
MALDO, Morogoro
Herman Mwaijande, Dr., Livestock Officer,DALDO,
Mvomero
YudaMgeni, Mr., Livestock Officer, DALDO, Kilosa
Edward Huzuni, Mr., IP Representative, IP/Ward,
Mvomero/W'Sokoine
DidasMateru, Mr., IP Representative, IP/Ward, Mvomero/
Manyinga
David Shemweta, Mr., IP Representative, IP/Ward, Kilosa/
Mbwade
Grace Kindimba, Ms., IP Representative, IP/Ward, Kilosa/
Twatwatwa
NdyamukamaFaustineCyriacus, Mr., Livestock Officer and
MSc student, SUA, Morogoro
Damas Msaki, Mr., Research Officer, SUA, Morogoro
Anthony Mbeho, Mr., Research Officer, TALIRI, Mpwapwa
Mary Jackson, Ms., Research Officer, TALIRI, Mpwapwa
4 fem.,
11 male
FEAST
24-26 Jan. 2013 in Tanga
2 fem., 9 male
FEAST (Feed
assessment tool)
21-23 Jan. 2013 at SUA,
Morogoro
In India
e) Presentations at conferences
Ravichandran, T., Teufel, N. and Duncan, A. 2013. Site selection criteria for
locating innovation platforms in a dairy development project. Poster presented at
‘Agricultural development within the rural-urban continuum’, Tropentag, 17-19
Sep. 2013, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. Book of Abstracts p.
352. Available from: http://www.tropentag.de/abstract.php?code=8ejreGuU
16
b) People trained (with topic and dates)
Names and institutions
Topic
Dates
Training of partner staff in GB Pant University of Agriculture and
Technology (Pantnagar) for feed and dairy management and
exposure to AMUL Gujarat for 3 days each in August and October.
Exposure visit of farmers to Farmers’ exhibition in Pant Nagar.
Feed and dairy
management
3 days each in Aug and
Oct 2013
Cross-country


Project flyer (http://mahider.ilri.org/handle/10568/5389)
Project wiki (http://milkit.wikispaces.com/)
8. Implications of research outputs and achievements
In Tanzania
The project has been very well received by the Tanga Dairy Platform and it is
also represented in the newly established Dairy Development Forum (DDF) of
Tanzania. This will improve the integration of the MilkIT project with other actors
that are working towards the improvement of the Tanzanian dairy value chain, as
one of the components of the Livestock & Fish CRP. This integration, also under
the common slogan ‘Maziwa zaidi’, is likely to lead to greater sustainability of
project outputs than previously achieved in other relevant projects that have
acted in a more isolated fashion. L&F is a long-term engagement for what
reasons special care is being taken to establish the structures for such an
enduring commitment. This takes longer than if the project was a stand-alone
effort with shorter project duration.
The work with pastoralist communities is a great challenge and may result in less
immediate outcomes from the MilkIT project as in these communities it is likely to
take longer to influence attitudes and behavioural change. On the other hand,
other projects under ‘Maziwa Zaidi’ will continue along the lines of innovation
platforms established by MilkIT and, hence, this could show impact even with
pastoral communities.
The fact that the MilkIT project is among numerous actors currently working on
the Tanzanian dairy value chain is an advantage, as various related activities
towards marketing and input supplies and service provisions are being
established in the same selected villages. The village IPs will also be used by
these other projects. It may become rather difficult to attribute successes and
17
failures specifically to the MilkIT project as other interventions might improve the
enabling environment.
In India
Aanchal in Bageshwar is improving their payment and service due to healthy
competition with the new Jeganath co-operative. There is more demand from
neighbouring villages in Sult area to link with Aanchal to sell their milk.
Involvement of government institutions in IP meetings: Despite regular contacts,
their active participation is limited, perhaps due to their pre-occupation with
disaster programmes in these areas; but their support to the farmers through IP
is on-going. This limitation is being overcome by regular individual discussions on
an ad hoc basis. Regular contact and short reports on the impact of the IP
activities is expected to increase the involvement of government institutions with
the IP approach especially once the evolving links with ILSP have been
strengthened.
9. Problems and measures taken
In Tanzania
1.
2.
3.
4.
Electronic access to reports and papers within the country is very limited;
these resources are in grey literature, which is often difficult to locate; or
with key informants who may be reluctant to share.
Farmers often show a ‘cargo cult’ in that they only expect deliveries by
project staff but cannot see that they themselves need to find solutions.
The implementation of IPs may help to provide more ownership.
As a social process, implementing innovation platforms at village level has
taken time. Also, village IP members expected some agreed operational
setup on the governance and functioning of the IP that needed to be in
place before any activity could be undertaken to ensure IP sustainability.
This is not helped by the relatively low staffing level and short life of the
research project and has slowed down the start of the expected action
research to take place. A consultant has been contracted to assist in
operationalizing the IPs.
A MilkIT project steering committee has not been formed because it is
considered that, at national level, it is more important to harmonize
activities among the various actors of the dairy value chain that is steered
by the Dairy Development Forum (DDF), in which all relevant projects are
represented. Nevertheless, it has been agreed with the MoreMilkIT project
to hold joint steering committee meetings during the next year.
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In India
The failure of Setaria grass to germinate due to lack of technical knowledge was
a set-back for the grass-land improvement activities. There will be close
collaboration with local agricultural institutions in future to tackle this issue.
The linkage with ILSP is slow to bear fruit due to the late implementation of
programme activities in ILSP. Despite regular contacts and discussions, the
involvement of Bageshwar ILSP staff with IP activities is still limited.
The implementation of government development activities, especially the starting
of dairy collection co-operatives at the village level by Aanchal, is being
overcome through contacts at a higher level.
10. Linkages with other research and development initiatives
The MilkIT project in Tanzania is intimately integrated into the overall ‘Maziwa
Zaidi’ movement that includes all projects striving for an improvement of the dairy
value chain in Tanzania. This means very close collaboration with the Irish Aidfinanced MoreMilkiT project in almost all activities. It has also fostered linkages
with locally active NGOs, such as Heifer International and HMWA in Morogoro,
and SNV in Tanga regions.
An emerging project on ‘Research in Sustainable Intensification in the sub-humid
maize-based cropping systems of Babati’ under the Africa RISING (Africa
Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation) program funded
under the USAID ‘Feed the Future’ initiative is very closely linked to the MilkIT
project in Tanzania. After a scoping visit, FEAST is being used for feed
assessments by trained MilkIT project partners in order to identify and plan for
feed-related interventions. In addition, relationships with other IFAD-funded
projects will be sought in the Manyara region.
An MSc student from the University of Bonn, Germany under the supervision of
Dr. Jo Cadilhon (ILRI) is currently conducting field research in Tanga Region to
assess the performance of village and regional innovation platforms within a
quantitative framework developed at ILRI and also being tested in MilkIT India
and other research projects in Africa.
In India, An MSc student (Hohenheim, Germany) studied the impact of and
adaptation to climate change and fodder production in the project area; a report
is being developed.
A further MSc student (Hohenheim, Germany) started his research on assessing
the quality of innovation platforms within a larger study by ILRI scientist Jo
Cadilhon.
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