Ongera Amata (Increase the Milk)

Farmers develop the practical knowledge and skills needed to keep their cows both healthy and productive. Livestock management training in this project focuses on cows specifically, and covers animal welfare, suitable housing, hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention, so that dairy farmers can create conditions where their livestock can thrive.

Farmers learn how to recognise and respond to health problems, provide clean water, and appropriate shelter, and make sure cows receive the right balance of nutrients at different stages of their lives.

Improving the care of each animal is particularly important for small-scale farmers who may rely on just one to three cows, as a healthy, productive cow can make a significant difference to the food and income available to a family. The project also promotes better access to nutritious and climate-resilient fodder, helping farmers maintain their cattle’s condition when weather conditions make feeding more difficult.

Through the project, farmers are supported to produce more milk while improving its quality and safety. Participants learn about improved breeding practices and the potential of higher-yielding cows, including Jersey breeds and suitable crossbreeds, so they can gradually improve the productivity of their cows. This is combined with practical training in milking hygiene, milk handling, storage and transportation, reducing the risk of contamination, spoilage and milk being rejected by buyers.

Technical expertise from The Dairy Group UK supports the project’s work to improve milk quality, while RJAHS contributes to genetic improvement with Jersey cow breeds.

“Sometimes small changes in the way a cow is cared for can have a big impact on milk production. But farmers also need the right breeding and good milk-handling practices, alongside access to reliable buyers. The project brings these different pieces together so farmers can improve production and get more value from their milk.” - Meshark Sikuku, Farming for the Future Lead

The project guides farmers so they can turn increased milk production into more reliable and sustainable income. Farmers form self-help groups and collectively develop the business skills to understand their costs, manage records, respond to market prices and make informed decisions about how to save and invest into their dairy activities.

As individual farmers often produce relatively small quantities of milk, they can combine their production through cooperatives, creating stronger links to buyers and greater opportunities to access markets collectively.

They also explore ways to add value to their milk, such as processing it into yoghurt and cheese, opening up additional opportunities to earn from their dairy production. By strengthening both their business skills and access to markets, participants get greater value from every litre they produce.

Dairy farming is integrated with wider sustainable farming practices so families can make better use of their land and resources while reducing their reliance on a single source of income. Farmers learn to grow crops alongside fodder for their cattle, creating more diverse farms that can provide food for the family and additional opportunities to earn money.

Manure from cattle can be returned to the soil as organic fertiliser to recycle nutrients within the farm, improving soil health and reducing the need for costly external inputs. The project also promotes agroforestry, including planting trees and improved drought-resistant fodder species, helping protect soils and strengthen the availability of feed during dry periods.

These practices support our wider climate-smart approach, helping farmers prepare for unpredictable seasons including the possibility of drought and flooding, while making their farms more productive and resilient over time.

The project works to ensure that the benefits and opportunities created through dairy farming are accessible to women and people who may face barriers to participation.

Women are supported to take an active role in dairy production, training, household decision-making and cooperative activities, rather than their contribution to the family farm remaining unseen or undervalued. Families are encouraged to consider how responsibilities for caring for cattle, producing milk, managing income and making decisions are shared between household members.

More inclusive farmer groups and cooperatives can also give women and other marginalised farmers greater opportunities to have their voices heard and participate in decisions that affect their businesses and communities.