NEWS:

31 Mar, 2016


University and partners attending the review meeting at LUANAR
In an effort to incorporate local and national development objectives in research project, scientists from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources conducted a review and planning workshop at the university in Lilongwe .

The review and planning workshop was attended by partners from the Department of Animal Health, Department of Agricultural Extension and Services, ,Dedza Districts Agricultural Development Office, District Animal Health and Livestock Development ,HEIFER international and Malawi Milk Producers Association (MMPA).

The partners were reviewing the research project- Evaluating feeding and breeding technologies for optimal dairy productivity and reduced carbon emissions (REDCAP).

It is envisaged that through the project, cost-effective feeding and breeding management technologies will be investigated, adapted and promoted in smallholder farms to sustainably contribute to improved livelihoods while reducing production of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions per unit output of milk.

According to the Principal Investigator of the project Associate Professor Dr Liveness Banda, the review meeting was important to make sure that local users of research outputs and products are involved In each and every stage of the research process. The meeting further allowed the stakeholders to understand some of the data and information that the research has generated and how the stakeholders can use such information.

During presentation, Dr Banda emphasized that Ruminant animals especially beef and dairy cattle significantly contribute to climate change through carbon emissions, therefore ,counteracting the scenario requires sustainable mitigation and adaptation strategies.

It is expected that through the project, cost-effective feeding and breeding management technologies will be investigated, adapted and promoted in smallholder farms to sustainably contribute to improved livelihoods while reducing production of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions per unit output of milk. through appropriate breeding and nutrition strategies. These strategies also enhance food and nutrition security contribution from dairying.

The review meeting was therefore aimed at accessing the progress of the implemented activated since its implementation in July 2015 and plan for the 3rd quarter. "The review is important because we want the farmers who are the owners of the project to understand the project and strategies with them on the direction of the project, the farmers are true owners of the project, by involving them in these key decisions, we want them to have a scene of ownership since they are the ones to use the technologies that will be developed from this project" said Banda.

During the meeting Dr Sera Gondwe who is the CO-PI of the project emphasized on the importance of partnerships in research and development projects. "By partnering with Heifer ,MMPA and the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development it has helped the researchers to understand some of the challenges that the partners are facing in the livestock sector". Gondwe Said .

She pointed out that knowing that the partners have similar activities and work with the same farmers, there was the need to coordinate and collaborate thereby reducing duplication of interventions and misuse of information. She attributed the success of the project to this coordination , the acknowledgement of the farmers knowledge and the commitment of the project team and the farmers to the project.

Speaking on behalf of Malawi Milk Producers Association (MMPA), Prisca Mwanjana ,Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, commended the University for its work that will enhance resilience to climate change among smallholder farmers. She further alluded the importance of the organizations involvement in the project as to insure that the farmers involved in the project are not exploited but rather benefit from the project.

Heifers Projects Manager, Donard Kazanga said that he was pleased that Heifer was involved in the project since it is one of the major livestock exporters in Malawi, "the project will help us in identifying the right herd for export under recommended management systems", Said Donald.

Chrispin Banda, Agricultural Extension District Coordinator expressed his satisfaction in the meeting "because of this meeting we are now aware of the roles each of us have to take and the direction that this project is taking ,we now know what we have to do and what to expect from this project, we are very pleased that we were involved in the planning, it is an initiative that will definitely seed the success of the project. said Banda.


Written By Christie Kang'ombe