Halima Abdallah
9 November 2009
Nairobi — Dairy farmers in Uganda now stand to earn more following the introduction of locally produced nutrient supplement blocks that are expected to improve milk production by cows.
Studies have shown that farmers underfeed their cows, providing only between 29 per cent and 36 per cent of the required nutrients and as a result cows only produce between two and five litres per cow per day for the non-exotic breeds.
The nutrient supplements come in the form of lick blocks containing protein, vitamins, mineral and other nutrients that help mature cows and she-goats to produce more milk.
They are produced from farm and industrial waste, which makes than cheap, as local farmers can be trained to make their own from available raw materials.
Among the ingredients are molasses, cereal bran, cotton seed cakes, poultry litter, cassava flour or dry clay soil as binder.
Also added are mineral powder, leguminous hay and dry chopped grass.
Already farmers are undergoing training on how to make and use the nutrient blocks.
Researchers say the lick blocks supplements can increase milk production by between 20 per cent and 30 per cent if the animals are kept in good health and in hygienic conditions and are properly fed.
The lick blocks will assure constant milk production even during the dry season when pasture and water is scarce.
"Animals tend to emaciate during the dry season but when you feed them on the nutrient blocks, the milk production will increase in quantity and quality, and the milk will be rich in butter and fat content," said Dr Jolly Kabirizi, a senior researcher at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute.
Dairy farmers in Uganda have in the past relied on imported mineral blocks from Kenya at a cost of $2.50 each.
The blocks being made in Uganda are expected to be highly nutritious and cheaper at $1.50.
It is expected that urban and peri-urban dairy farmers with limited land will benefit greatly from these blocks and that rural farmer with local cow breeds will also get the most out of them.
Although the exotic and crossbreed will produce more milk when fed on the blocks than the local breeds, the local breeds will gain by putting on more weight.
"In terms of milk, local breeds won't change much because genetically local breeds are incapable of producing much milk, but it is very good for fattening," said Ms Kabirizi.
Experts however advise the widespread use of artificial insemination from proven semen, so that dairy farmers can access breeds designed for milk production for maximum benefits of the new product.
Equally good for weight building is a newly developed formula for calves.
The formula for calves is a filler intended to make the calves suckle a little milk and leave more for the farmer to consume and sell. It is introduced to the calf three weeks after birth.
When properly used, the formula will enable farmers to sell off their calves to abbattoirs who have the a market for meat from younger animals because they would have put on enough weight.
The new prodcust will be of more benefit when farmers use them concurrently.
The diary sub-sector in Uganda accounts for 40 per cent of the livestock sector contribution to the economy.
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