In Kanakantapa, 28-year-old Patrick Ngandu proudly tends to his growing herd at the Kanakantapa Dairy Cooperative. Having started dairy farming in 2020 with just three cows, Patrick recalls the early challenges:
“Our cows were weak, milk production was low, and we didn’t know what proper management looked like.”
Everything changed when ADRA Zambia, through the Jersey Breed Focused Dairy Development Project (JBFDDZ), introduced artificial insemination (AI) and practical dairy management training.
Patrick decided to try Jersey semen on his cows including Namakau, a stubborn cow that had never conceived despite several attempts.
“We inseminated five cows, four were confirmed pregnant. Namakau still showed no signs, and we almost slaughtered her. Just as we were preparing, she went into labour! It was unbelievable she gave birth to a healthy Jersey calf, and we were overjoyed.”
Today, Patrick’s herd has expanded, and milk production has tripled from 5 to 15 litres per cow daily.
“All I can say is that the ADRA semen works. It has changed my farm and my life.”
In Choma, Mr. Steddy Chisenga, a small-scale dairy farmer from the Harmony Dairy Cooperative, shares a similar success. With limited land and no bull, Steddy’s progress was once stalled. Thanks to Jersey semen support, he rebuilt his herd and now milks three cows producing over 53 litres of milk daily.
“My income has increased, and I can now support my family better than before,” he said proudly.
ADRA Zambia extends gratitude to Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) and the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (RJA&HS) for their unwavering support in transforming Zambia’s dairy sector.
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