Utete, TZ – Cow groups face marketing challenges – 29 Jul 2014

Both cow banda projects in Kindwitwi are going well. The Mamas Group cow is now producing six liters of milk per day and the calf has been in good health. The group’s biggest challenge has been finding a market for the milk. Because it has been two months since the last harvest, most families don’t have money for milk. Most families are keeping as small a budget as possible and eating only boiled corn flour. The group has only been able to sell an average of four liters of milk per day, giving them 4,000 TZS (USD $2.50). The remaining two liters is shared between the women in the group. If they can maintain this level of production for after the next harvest, they should be able to sell all of the milk.

The MOM family is also happy with the progress of their project. Their cow has only been producing around two liters of milk per day because it is pregnant. They are expecting the new calf to be born in September or October. After the birth, milk production should increase to at least five per day. Additionally, the calf will give the family an important extra asset.