SNVWORLD.ORG. SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, in partnership with Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), shared the results of the “Sustainable and Inclusive Dairy Development” pilot project at a workshop in Jakarta on November 13th 2013.
The project conducted in East and West Java tested potential low-cost interventions to improve feeding techniques, water supply and animal health with the goal to increase dairy productivity in Indonesia and farmers’ incomes.
Dairy companies including Nestle, Friesland Flag, Danone and Indolacto attended the workshop to discuss the results of the pilot together with industry associations, research institutes and NGOs from around Indonesia.
The workshop heard that currently local dairy production can only supply 20% of the local market demand with up to 80% of dairy products imported from countries such as New Zealand and Australia. With the steady growth of the middle class and greater awareness of the need to improve nutrition the demand for dairy products is likely to grow significantly in the coming years.
Dairy companies have noticed the trend and are looking for ways to increase supply. With over 94% of milk being produced by small holder families, improving supply is not an easy task. Organizing and training farmers is complicated and often too costly for companies.
There is a great opportunity to increase local production” SNV Country Director Phil Harman said.
“SNV has world-wide experience and through our Inclusive Business approach, we support company initiatives in training farmers to improve quality and increase production. At the same time, by working closely with farmers, we increase market access for producers”, Mr Harman said.
SNV’s National Dairy advisor Ms Sutresniwati said the results of the pilot were very promising with improved feed, the introduction of chopping and milking machines, and continuous water supply all showing excellent results’ said Ms Sutresniwati.
“Improved feeding with silage not only increased milk production from 11 litres a cow per day to 12 litres, but also improved milk quality in particular fat content” said Ms Sutresniwati
A number of farmers also attended to the workshop to provide testimonials including Mr Dede from Pangalengan in West Java.
“Feeding the cows silage not only increased productivity but also provided time saving for us as we needed less time to collect grass”, said Mr Dede.
Mr Warpu a 39 years old dairy farmer also from Pangalengan also spoke positively about the portable milking machine.
“The portable milking machine reduced the time I needed to milk the cows, previously I started milking at 5.00 am and completed milking at 6.30 am but now I can do it in 45 minutes”, said Mr Warpu.
Throughout the workshop companies and NGOs were enthusiastic about the results achieved and showed interest in future initiatives.
Vetergaard Frandsen’s Regional Director Maneesh Sharma said that through participating in the pilot program his company was already seeing results.
“We have reached agreement with two dairy cooperatives in Lembang and Pangalengan to provide zero fly netting and we definably see the possibility of introducing our product to other dairy producing areas”, Mr Sharma said.
SNV is now looking to develop partnerships with dairy companies and NGOs to replicate and scale-up activities conducted during the pilot project. Interested parties should contact SNV for further information.
