Options and challenges for organic milk production in East African smallholder farms under certified organic crop production
Loading...
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Livestock Science
Abstract
Many East African smallholder farms with certified organic crop production, also rear animals. Although farming
systems are mixed, there is often very little integration and synergy between the different enterprises. The aim of
this article is to suggest and discuss different development scenarios for organic dairy production, based on data
from three East African studies of dairy production at certified organic cash crop farms. The following questions
are explored for two categories of ‘model farms’ in Kenya and Uganda, respectively: 1) Can smallholder farmers
benefit from keeping organic dairy cattle, and under which conditions can it be viable, given the current
challenges? 2) How can the dairy production be integrated into the farm and create synergy with the different
farm elements? 3) What would need to change if their milk was to become certified organic and farmers had to
comply with organic principles and standards for dairy farming? Based on data and estimates from on-farm case
studies at Kenyan and Ugandan smallholder dairy farms, in combination with literature, potential development
scenarios are outlined. The study concludes that there are good possibilities for more local recirculation of feed
and manure, although with limited benefits when there are only few animals with short lactations on the farm.
Involvement of local communities in feed production and use of grazing areas seems to be a good option to the
mutual benefit of both. If certified organic smallholder farms should diversify their income through sale of
organic milk, they would need a secure market. Depending on the cost of certification, these farms will only
benefit from sale of organic milk if they can produce milk year round at a scale, which allow them to benefit from
the effort to give animals organic feed, an effort including establishment of grazing and local feed production
that comply with organic standards. Outdoor stay and grazing continue to challenge many smallholder milk
producers especially with Holstein Friesian types of cows, and more robust breeds are needed. In addition, many
smallholders do not have sufficient land to permit grazing around their homesteads, where the animals live.
Organic standards regarding animals need improvement and precision, especially requirements for grazing
areas and feed. Certification comprising whole farms including the animals, and not only crops for export, will
enhance crop-animal integration.
Description
Keywords
Crop-animal integration, Organic, Smallholder, East Africa, Dairy cattle
Citation
Vaarst, M., Smolders, G., Wahome, R., Odhong, C., Kiggundu, M., Kabi, F., ... & Halberg, N. (2019). Options and challenges for organic milk production in East African smallholder farms under certified organic crop production. Livestock Science, 220, 230-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2019.01.006