FIELD_VISIT


 * __ Maziwa Zaidi Masatu village (Handeni district) __**

**__ Group background __** The group was initiated in November 2013 and registered two months thereafter. The group has a membership of 75 producers (30 women and 45 men). The group’s vision is to improve the livelihoods of the members and neighboring community, through increased income from livestock keeping and in particular dairy cattle. The group has worked with SUA, HPI and ILRI. **__ Group goals/objectives __** **__ Challenges facing group members __** **__ Discussions: (Q and A) __** The group ranked low milk production due to the genetic potential of the local cows kept as the most important constraint affecting them. When presented with options of improving the dairy cows the producers stated that the village lacks an improved bull and the AI service was not readily available in their locality. Majority of the members would prefer the improved cattle due to their high potential BUT were hesitant on stall feeding preferring free range. On ongoing land conflict, the producers were advised that one way of alleviating the problem would be stall feeding the cattle. **__ Conclusion __** **__ Maziwa zaidi Ubiri village (Lushoto district) __**
 * Improve the local cows in order to benefit from increased milk production
 * Collectively bulk and sell milk
 * Conserve and protect grazing areas
 * To collaborate with research institutes willing to assist in improving the productivity of their livestock.
 * Land conflict between the livestock keepers and farmers (crop growers)
 * Shortage/ lack of feed during the dry season
 * Low milk production due to the genetic potential of the local cows kept
 * Low milk prices
 * Livestock diseases
 * The producers need training on rearing improved cattle versus the local and exposure as to what other producers are doing in respect to the same.
 * The group requested for a direct contribution from the project (monetary contribution), it was agreed the project can support their activities through the formal channels but the group should show initiative as well.
 * Group members were grateful for the field visit by the project partners and requested for future follow up visits to motivate and train them.

**__ Group background __** Ubiri village has 189 cattle keeping households from which 87 producers are members of the Maziwa Zaidi Ubiri village. The village has a producer group and an innovation platform (IP); the innovation platform for the village was created on September 2013 with the producer group being legally registered in December of the same year. The group bulks and sells milk to Umoja wa Wafugaji Lushoto (UWALU)’s collection center. **__ Group objectives and benefits envisioned __** **__ Benefits members are deriving from the group __** **__ Challenges facing group members __** **__ Discussions: (Q and A) __** When asked to rank the most important constraint, the group indicated that all the constraints impacted heavily on them and would rather they are addressed simultaneously. From the discussions, members indicated they zero-grazed their livestock. The AI service is located far and is costly, hence the members preference for bull service which has, however, led to inbreeding within the village. UWALU collection center has an installed capacity of 2000 liters. From the visit, it was established that the collection center receives 500 liters of milk daily, hence it takes approximately three days to fill the chilling plant. The cooperative buys and sells milk at TSh 640 and TSh 800, respectively. Milk is supplied either directly by the producer or through transporters who collect milk from several producers. The cooperative supplies milk not only to the main processor (Tanga Fresh), but also to individual consumers. Members supplying milk to the cooperative are paid fortnightly and have the option of receiving an advance if need arises.
 * Increase milk production from the current 4 liters per day per cow to 20 liters
 * Trained on better cattle management and feeding practices
 * Improve the current breeds to better yielding improved species
 * Have an input and service shop at the village
 * Identification of constraints facing the producers and guidance on how to overcome them.
 * Platform to meet with the different dairy stakeholders
 * Recognition of the group beyond the village
 * Limited knowledge on livestock keeping
 * Low genetic potential of the current livestock breeds kept
 * Lack of good quality feeds
 * Low milk prices
 * High input prices