Dairy market hubs giving Tanzanian farmers better access to services given funding boost

Irish Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, signs the guest book at the MoreMikIT office launch in Morogoro, Tanzania, 12 Mar 2013; witnessing the event are ILRI’s Amos Omore and Stuart Worsley (second and third from left) (photo credit: ILRI/Amos Omore).

‘Ireland’s minister of state for Development and Trade Joe Costello earlier this week launched the second phase of a joint research project designed to increase access of poor farmers and dairy producers to services and markets in Tanzania at the cost of €1.4 million (Sh2.8 billion).

‘The “More Milk Dairy Market Hub” research project, jointly implemented by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Sokoine University of Agriculture, will run for four years and will focus on growing and improving the systems that farmers are currently using to sell their dairy products, according to the press statement issued by the Irish Embassy in Dar es Salaam.

‘“It is anticipated that by 2016 approximately 40,000 people in 6,400 households will benefit from the project. Irish Aid provided funding for the inception phase of the project, 2011–2012 and will provide €1.4 million in funding over the course of the four-year project,” reads part of the statement.

‘Speaking at the launch, the minister said: “I am pleased that Irish Aid will be associated with this project for developing dairy market hubs that will allow marginalised groups to access services. This will ensure that farmers can participate in the dairy value chain and ultimately, of course, it is about putting more money in farmers’ pockets.”

‘“This partnership is a very solid example of how Ireland can link institutions such as Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) to farmers’ needs with the support of international and Irish Institutions.

“I hope this project will succeed in facilitating collaboration and exchange of international experience and best practices on dairy science, productivity and marketing of milk produce. This will benefit scientists, students and livestock keepers in Tanzania,” said the minister. . . .’

Read the whole article in The Citizen (Tanzania): Irish State minister launches Sh2.8bn milk project, 13 Mar 2013.