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Dairy industry representatives in Zambia united as Champions of Change
A group of dairy industry advisors from across Zambia have completed training on how to transfer knowledge successfully to farmers and other field extension workers.
Image: ToT participants visit a farm in Liteta, Central Province, facilitated by Prime Group Chairman Dr Alan Pearson and ZDTP Field Extension Manager Kelvin Mulusa.
The innovative Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions were facilitated by the Zambia Dairy Transformation Programme (ZDTP) and led by Prime Group Chairman Dr Alan Pearson in April 2022.
The sessions were held in a classroom setting in Lusaka and included a field trip to a nearby farm and Milk Collection Centre in Liteta.
A major focus was how to bring about change in farming communities; for example, making sure smallholders first understand the 'why' before introducing the 'how' when it comes to new farming practices.
The course was so well-received another ToT session is planned for August 2022.
Dr Pearson says the purpose of the ToT sessions was for the 30-plus participants from the public and private sector to learn more on how to transfer technical knowledge successfully to smallholder farmers and other dairy industry workers.
They marked an important milestone for the ZDTP as they signified the end of the programme’s “proof of concept” phase, he said, and the start of efforts to bring what had been learnt to others across the wider industry.
"Over the past five years, we have created worked examples of improved dairy practices, collaborating directly with farmers and dairy co-operatives in Central Province and the Copperbelt.
"This is the turning point where we start to retreat from doing that and support others to foster their implementation."
Participants of the ToT sessions, which included key people from two leading dairy processing companies Lactalis and Zammilk, are now members of a ‘Champions of Change’ group.
They will act as key contacts in the sector for those seeking to improve their farming practices and dairy businesses.
Dr Pearson says the sessions also allowed for valuable networking between participants, many of whom work in remote locations.
As members of the Champions of Change group, they will now connect regularly via WhatsApp to share ideas and opportunities for growth, while still being supported and mentored by the ZDTP over the coming months.
The sessions came at a pivotal time with locally-produced Zambian milk receiving a major PR boost from the President of the Republic of Zambia in May.
According to an article in the Zambia Daily Mail, his excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema declared that Zambia should not be importing milk powder at the expense of milk producers in the country.
The comments were made at a National Agricultural Field Day held in Mpongwe District organised by the Zambia National Farmers Union.
According to the Dairy Association of Zambia, the country produces about 600 million litres of milk per annum and only 70 million litres pass through the milk processing companies.
The rest is currently traded informally.
About the ZDTP
The ZDTP is a is a partnership between the Governments of Zambia and New Zealand, targeting 6,500 smallholder dairy producers.
It commenced in 2016 and runs until 2023.
The final two years represent an extension of the programme aimed at scaling down field activities and increasing community/industry engagement.
Programme oversight of the ZDTP is delivered through the Zambia Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MFL) and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
For more information, please visit zambiadairy.com or contact zdtpinfo@primeconsultants.net.
