Our Introduction to the Dairy "Industry" in Malawi

Our week in Blantyre was action-packed! Day after day, Barbra, Resham, and I visited farms in the villages around Blantyre with Gordon and Anne. I use the term “farm” very loosely; in this context, it means a one-cow (and occasionally one calf) operation.
The experience was filled with ups and downs. The first few days we visited the farms that were most in need of assistance and/or advice from Gordon. Therefore, many of these farms were not in the best shape. The cattle were often stunted and some were extremely thin. In many kholas, there was a notable lack of food and water for the cow. The kholas that did have food and water often had bunks in poor condition allowing water to leak out etc. Some of the bunks were constructed such that the food and water troughs were simply out of reach for the cow- not an ideal situation by any means.
We saw calves that appeared to be about two months old but were surprised to find that they were actually a year to over a year in age. The stunting was due to nutritional deficiency; the farmers were neglecting to provide feed and water. It was very confusing. Why would someone choose to not to feed an animal- especially when it can provide so much in the future? On one farm we visited, the cow was emaciated, the food and water bunks empty, the khola in poor hygienic conditions and no farmer was to be found. After a conversation with the farmer’s neighbor, it came out that the farmer was in the hospital and very ill. All of her children were very young, under eight years old, and even though it was 10 am and a school day, none were attending school. It was apparent that there were a multitude of factors contributing to the lack of proper husbandry.
Another case that was quite difficult to see was a farm owned by one of the Farm Livestock Technicians (FLT). Malawi has a serious shortage of veterinarians- there are only a handful in the entire country of 14 million people- and they generally do not focus on production animal healthcare. The role of the veterinarian is therefore filled, to some degree, by FLTs. FLTs mainly perform artificial inseminations but also have a role in providing assistance and recommendations to farmers on animal husbandry and care.
The particular FLT, Maxwell, who we were working with that day informed us that he had a cow at home that was “not doing very well”. We drove out to his farm to have a look at her. As we pulled up to the farm in our 4x4 we were greeted by his family; several teenage boys sitting on a bench eating casually chewing on sugar cane, and his wife who had been doing laundry. The cow was a downer cow; she lay, unable to rise, on the ground next to a small hut breathing heavily in the full midday sun. She was emaciated and paralyzed in her lower half. Her head looked huge on her skinny frame and it weighed down heavily. She appeared to have neurological signs- a head tilt and uncoordinated head movements. Maxwell informed us that she had been down for about a week and a half. She was pregnant and in the late stages of starvation. Her energy requirements had increased with her pregnancy yet her feeding level had not kept up with her body’s demands. We told Maxwell that the only option at this point was to call the butcher- he had not been feeding his cow enough and it would be nearly impossible to bring her back to health. His wife quickly put food and water in front of her. Though the cow was clearly very weak, she tried in vain to eat and drink. She simply did not have the strength to hold her head up.
A healthy and pregnant cow is a valuable thing in Malawi and it was a shame that neither the cow nor the calf could be saved in this case (it was too early for a caesarian section). It is difficult to imagine the circumstances that got this cow into such a desperate situation. The owner was an FLT, someone knowledgeable in feeding and husbandry practices for dairy cattle. He taught these skills every day to farmers. Many questions arose after seeing this case. Why were farmers starving their cattle? Was it lack of education? An inability to provide the proper amount or type of food? Lack of time or help around the home? Poor quality of health of the farmer? It is incredibly confusing and I guess there may be an answer but it is not openly quantifiable.
It’s easy to rapidly assess the situation and accept the simple solution without looking deeper and recognizing the plethora of social issues that must be considered. Our observations on farm after farm emphasized the importance of working together, the connections all factors have to each other and how the neglect of one component can lead to failure in another. It all seemed so clear. Farmers are unable to provide proper care to their animals without a proper education. Animals cannot be healthy without proper care and nutrition, and there cannot be healthy people without healthy animals because we all live in the same environment.
At first, we felt cynical. It’s impossible to think solely about the animal when so many other social issues are present. After having thought about it for a while though, that is not at all what we do as veterinarians. Though we certainly have a primary obligation to the health of the animal, the profession in and of itself relies on the softer sciences for success and requires the integration of multiple factors. I think we both feel very proud to be part of a profession where it is not only possible to work on all such levels but it is essential for success.
As we neared the end of the week, we were honestly feeling that the whole thing was a bit hopeless. We were still optimistic about the possibilities for success of the dairy program but had seen a LOT of challenges.
Gordon thought it would be a good idea for us to see the positive impact of milk production on Malawian farmers; he took us to several farms where that positive impact was openly visible. One particular farm has stuck out in our minds.
The woman was delighted to meet us and proud to show us her modest farm. It was obvious that she took great pride in her work and she was doing a wonderful job. The khola was well-maintained and the cow bright, alert, and healthy. The troughs were filled with freshly chopped grass, medeya (wheat bran), and clean water. She proudly told us how the income from the milk she sold was able to put each of her EIGHT children through school. Most of her children are grown now and are working various jobs in the city. Her eldest son is attending Blantyre Business College, and her youngest, aged nine, had just returned home from his day at primary school when we were visiting. It was a success story and an incredibly uplifting experience. Overall, a lovely way to conclude our time in Blantyre!
Though it seems like many of the experiences were negative and some were extremely difficult to see, it became inspirational. The challenges are enormous but we saw the potential impact of our contribution. It may seem that, for the amount of resources put in, the output is low, every little bit counts. Even if it is just learning to be a good person, being thoughtful, recognizing the needs of others and the environment around you; you can be an inspiration. Even if it is just one conversation you have with a farmer who has worked hard to maintain a healthy cow; you can encourage her, acknowledge her effort and competence. It may make all the difference in the world. What we have realized is the importance of every experience and that even in the face of the greatest challenge, little steps will eventually get you to your goal.

Ashley and Barb