Lead Farm Selection

One of the many ways in which the Dairy Development Program platform aims to achieve its objective is with the development of Lead Farms (LF). The PDFC team along with the Friesian surveyed the larger geographic area around the Mbarara regions and collected data on about 2402 potential farms. On the basis of said collected data the potential farmers were then segregated based on the below criteria and were narrowed down to 54 farms who were visited individually and again assessed.

  • Availability of land and approximate farm size
  • Availability of milking cows and current productivity
  • Average yield per cow
  • Yield based on seasonality
  • Willingness to be part of the PDFC’s DDP
  • Association with supportive Cooperatives
  • Geographic spread in the south west region of Uganda

With the above information a total of 10 lead farms were selected and a MOU was signed with them inducting them in to the DDP of the PDFC.

Lead Farm Activities

The Lead Farm is meant to be the ideal farm that can be with its available resources and the Dairy Development Program aims to tap this possibility by supporting member farmers to become Lead Farm. By developing these Lead Farms, it is anticipated that the CDF in the region will be motivated by the results and outcomes of being part of the DDP and would want to be part of the same. The Dairy Development Executives are aligned to the Lead Farms also is an approximate 15 CDF under their belt who are serviced frequently.

As part of the DDP, the selected LF representatives are sensitized on the program, its objectives and the expectations for either party to make the program successful. A dedicated DDE is assigned to each of the LF to support them on their day to day activities and requirements. Each Lead farm, provided with items like weighing scales, ear tag applicators, milking buckets, seeds, and fertilizers as part of the process to improve their way of working.

In the beginning, the DDEs assessed the LF on factors like the number of milking cows, yield per cow, availability of resources for cattle in the farms (milking sheds, silages etc), investment plan of the farmer and make a Zero Setting assessment. With this information the DDE’s made a comprehensive 5-year plan as to how the DDP can help the LF with achieving their dreams.

The DDEs support the LF in the day to day activities and also teach the LF employees matters like Ploughing, Milking, Milking parlour setup, Milk collection, preservation and transportation, Cattle management, Water management, Paddocking, Silage making, Spray rays construction among many others.

The data below shows the status of Leads farms on Ground 0 currently and it is evident that consistent monitoring and adoption of newer and more effective techniques and technologies can help farmers achieve their dream farm in a more constructive, efficient and time-bound manner.