Enhancing dairy-based livelihoods in India and Tanzania through feed intervention and value chain development approaches (MilkIT)

Published on 11 January 2012

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Timeline

Start Date: 1 October 2011 | End Date: 30 September 2014

Overview

Small-scale dairy production is an almost universal component of the farming enterprise among smallholders farming in mixed crop-livestock systems in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The availability of sufficient high-quality feed is a key constraint to improving milk yields and hence dairy income for smallholders through intensification of smallholder dairy systems.

This project places feed in a broader context and acknowledges that enhancing feed supply has both technical and institutional dimensions. The project tackles feed scarcity from a value chain perspective and employs innovation system principles. The emphasis on value chain and innovation approaches will necessarily involve consideration of issues beyond feed including enhancing breed quality and health status of dairy cows.

The overall goal of the project is to contribute to improved dairy-derived livelihoods in India and Tanzania via intensification of smallholder production focusing on enhancement of feeds and feeding using innovation and value chain approaches.

The objectives of the project are three-fold:

  1. Institutional strengthening: To strengthen use of value chain and innovation approaches among dairy stakeholders to improve feeding strategies for dairy cows.
  2. Productivity enhancement: To develop options for improved feeding strategies leading to yield enhancement with potential income benefits.
  3. Knowledge sharing: To strengthen knowledge sharing mechanisms on feed development strategies at local, regional and international levels

The project is embedded in the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish.

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2 Responses to “Enhancing dairy-based livelihoods in India and Tanzania through feed intervention and value chain development approaches (MilkIT)”

  1. Dr. Oluwafemi, R.A says:
    February 27, 2012 at 7:24 am

    Sir, this is quite interesting and very encouraging. Please, how can I benefit or get involved in a research of this nature. I am a Nigerian, a PhD holder in Animal Science and University Lecturer. More details will be sent in response to your reply.
    Thank you

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