regional dairy body to promote cooperatives

RWAMAGANA- The East African Dairy Development (EADD) is stepping up its efforts to help Rwandans form cooperatives to enable them increase production. EADD said farmers are not under a single umbrella of a cooperative, they have had to endure many difficulties in their farming. and they lack market to sell the milk got from their cows. They have thus remained in perpetual poverty despite the milk they get daily. The project works in three countries including Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. It deals with the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. EADD officials added they expect the project to end malnutrition and general poverty among people by increasing production. “Buganza before was a fertile land full of minerals and fertile soils. But today, the land has become infertile due to over cultivation.” Joseph Karake, an employee with EADD said. “The absence of fertilisers has led to poor agricultural out puts. So that is why we encourage people to rear animals so as to get manure from cow dung to be used in their gardens,”Authorities want milk carried in metallic utensils to improve on its storage, and consequently maintain milk quality. Farmers have been selling milk without considering fundamental hygienic measures. The skills cooperatives intend to give people will end the problem, the officials argue. “There is lack of qualified veterinary doctors to treat and inseminate the cows during the heat period. Improving on the breeds is thus problematic,” Jean Museminari, a farmer remarked. With the formation of cooperatives, veterinary doctors would be at the farmers disposal. Ends