Abstract
A review of the smallholder dairy production in
Malawi was conducted using livestock annual reports and
other literature that was supplemented with primary data
from a baseline survey conducted in December 2009.
Smallholder dairy farming in Malawi operates with support
from institutions that facilitate access to initial stock and
dairy production technologies. Most farmers (94%) keep
the animals in pens where feed is provided throughout the
year. Results indicated unsatisfactory feeding, housing and
health management practices, which negatively impact cow
fertility. Dairy population trends suggest low replacement
rates, which could be associated to low cow fertility and
inadequate management skills. There are challenges related
to access to breeding and health services, which further
contribute to low productivity. Low fertility is evidenced by
low calving rates (22–61%) and long calving interval (405–
549 days). Existence of programmes on farmer capacity
building provides an opportunity for improved management
skills and cow productivity. It is concluded that dairy cow
management and fertility have challenges and opportunities
that are influenced by the extent to which farmers have
access to important services such as extension, health,
breeding and finance.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 715 - 727 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Tropical Animal Health and Production |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | First published - 2012 |
Bibliographical note
1022195Keywords
- Calving interval
- Calving rate
- Dairy
- Fertility
- Management
- Smallholder