WP4 Survey questionnaire
Work Package 4: Development of a sustainable and inclusive value-chain for smallholder dairy farmers in the Republic of Mauritius ONGOING SURVEY OF DAIRY FARMERS First and foremost. a survey questionnaire was designed for the cow-breeders in different ‘Livestock Region’ in the Republic of Mauritius. It is currently helping us to achieve the aims and objectives for the Work Package 4 of the DeSIRA project. For example, the survey started on the 17th May 2023 where Dr. Brinda Ramasawmy Molaye and the trainees interviewed Mr. Adesh from ‘Nouvelle-Decouverte’, the cow-breeder. Mr. Adesh, is a breeder who is around thirty years old. He has embarked on this profession with both passion and professionalism at Nouvelle-Découverte Cooperative Society Ltd. The series of surveys started on the 20th June 2023 in the region of, Flacq. Different types of breeds, feeds and others were observed and recorded. Figure 1: Interaction with Mr. Adesh Figure 2: Holstein- Friesians Figure 3: Feeds and Mixed grass Figure 4: New calf born Figure 5: Different type of breeds
WP4 objectives, aims and timeline
Work Package 4: Development of a sustainable and inclusive value-chain for smallholder dairy farmers in the Republic of Mauritius Name of Team Leader Associate Professor Dr (Mrs) Brinda RAMASAWMY MOLAYE Name of Team Members Associate Professor Dr. (Mrs.) Vijayanti Mala RANGHOO-SANMUKHIYA Associate Professor Dr. (Mrs.) Thèrèse Suzy Joyce GOVINDEN SOULANGE Dr. (Mrs.) Deena RAMFUL–BABOOLALL Professor Dr. (Mrs.) Marie Françoise Brigitte DRIVER Name of the Trainee Project Assistant (TPA) Mr. Hemant Hansley HURNAM First and foremost, the work package 4 (WP4) aims at empowering smallholder farmers for the development of a sustainable and climate-smart dairy value chain for enhanced Food and Nutrition Security, and increased income. In addition, with the setting up of a dairy model farm on the AgriTECH Park, University of Mauritius. The dairy model farm will help in addressing research and development needs in the dairy sector using innovation and sustainable husbandry practices as well as climate-smart technologies to produce marketable quality milk in the Republic of Mauritius. Furthermore, this will help to increase the supply of quality and wholesome milk from smallholder dairy farmers for the local market. The strategic objectives of the WP4 of the DeSIRA project are outlined below; To improve the level of food security and the contribution of agriculture to the economy in the country by upgrading a sub-sector in the livestock industry (dairy value chain) through targeted research and development; To produce safe and quality milk for the local population as well as for use as raw material in the agro-industry and potentially for export in the region in the long term; To encourage potential entrepreneurs, through capacity building, to engage themselves in the production and processing of milk for the manufacture of local products ‘Made in Moris’ To promote sustainable management of land, water and other natural resources through promotion of sustainable and climate-smart practices and technologies such as sustainable management. Timeline of activities Output 2020 2021 2022 2023 1 Completed 2 Completed 3 ∙Blood samples analysis in progress 4 […]
WP4 Key informant interview
Work Package 4: Development of a sustainable and inclusive value-chain for smallholder dairy farmers in the Republic of Mauritius ONGOING KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEWS [1] FOOD TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (FTL) Meeting with Dr. Shalini NEELIAH (Principal Scientific Officer) at the Food Technology Laboratory (FTL) Date of the meeting: 12th May 2023 Time of the meeting: 12:35 The Food Technology Laboratory’s (FTL) mission is to promote secure primary and processor production. The Food Technology Laboratory is accredited by the Mauritius Accreditation Service (MAURITAS). The meeting held at the Food Technology Laboratory with Dr.Shalini NEELIAH was to understand the liaison between the FTL and the dairy farmers. My research team and I (Dr. Brinda Ramasawmy) developed a key informant checklist of the support institution for the dairy farmers in Mauritius. Objective of this meeting: To acknowledge the help that the FTL under the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Industry offers to the dairy farmers; The different schemes that the government offers when a dairy farmer cannot afford the different types of tests that they need to perform to avoid milk contamination; The prices and lists of milk testing that FTL carried out Figure 1: Interaction with Dr Shalini NEELIAH Figure 2: Interaction with Dr Shalini NEELIAH [2] ANIMAL PRODUCTION DIVISION (APD) Meeting with Mr GOOLJAR (Acting Senior Scientific Officer) at the Animal Production Division (APD) Date of the meeting: 12th May 2023 Time of the meeting: 14:00 The Animal Production Division is an organisation established under the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security. The meeting held at the Animal Production Division with Mr. GOOLJAR was to understand the liaison between the APD and the dairy farmers and also the Livestock Cooperatives. My research team and I (Dr. Brinda Ramasawmy) developed a key informant checklist of the support institution for the dairy farmers in Mauritius. Objective of this meeting: To gather information on the different type of animals (breeds) that the APD sell and distribute to the dairy farmers and livestock cooperatives; To acknowledge the veterinary services that they offer to the small dairy farmers who cannot afford to pay; The different schemes that APD offers to the dairy sector The prices and the sources of the animals Figure 3: Meeting held at the Animal Production Division, Reduit
