In Uganda, training in milk production empowers women farmers and boosts local economy

Rural communities in western Uganda face increased poverty and insecure food supplies because of frequent droughts, as well as recent blows to the production and sale of farm goods because of Covid-19 restrictions and price hikes for transport following the war in Ukraine.

Milk plays a key role in food security in Uganda, but large quantities of milk are currently wasted due to a lack of knowledge of production methods and appropriate storage facilities. This leads to losses of this valuable resource and reduced incomes for the women who are mostly responsible for milk production.

In response, the Agriculture for Food Security (AgriFoSe2030) program – a partnership between SEI, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Lund University and Linköping University – initiated a project led by Judith Nansiga from Kyambogo University to train women in milk production techniques and in diversifying and marketing a range of milk products.

Sustainable skills for the long term

The project team selected three representatives each from eight farmer groups who were tasked with training fellow women farmers on their newly acquired skills. This method, known as the “training of trainers”, is vital for spreading knowledge and retaining the benefits of the project in the community beyond the initial tuition and for the longer term. A total of 24 women were trained in Kampala on safe milk production and small-scale value addition in accordance with required global standards. In the one-week workshop, facilitated in collaboration with the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), the women farmers learned advanced knowledge and skills to take advantage of the gaps in Uganda’s milk value chain. The training focused on how to improve milk production, maintain a supply of high-quality milk, reduce waste, and produce dairy products that have a long shelf life and are safe for human consumption. Participants were taught how to produce yoghurt, butter, ghee, cheese, and ice cream and to avoid an over-reliance on milk and to diversify income streams of the project also trained participants in the production of cosmetics, such as lotion and lip balm, using other locally sourced ingredients.

Success helps bridge gender divides

Follow-ups showed the participants were eager to demonstrate their creativity in producing marketable products and showcase the relevance of their new skills and knowledge to their families. Men also visited the new knowledge and skills developed in growing milk production and sales and demonstrated a growing trust in women’s capacity to contribute to the household, which is contrary to common attitudes and norms in the region. The project team were careful not to disrupt household dynamics, and focus on building women’s financial stability, which has in turn led to overall increases in household incomes.

Five months after the training, one group in Kinoni Sub-County had established a production facility with the support of their male counterparts. The men assumed their wives acquiring a business loan to build a milk factory in the safe and efficient handling, processing and packaging of their products. In doing so, they pushed against the social taboo of women working outside the home.

After seeing the relevance and payoffs of the training, men are now increasingly interested in joining women’s groups and supporting the production and sale of milk products. For men have joined the Kinoni group so far, and they are able to assist in opening financial avenues and challenge patriarchal rules that limit the women’s economic contributions. More men are also interested in value addition and marketing of products, which had previously been seen as women’s work.

Expanding the model to other communities

The trainings have continued to spread knowledge and create new opportunities for women throughout the area, and participants regularly contact AgriFoSe2030 on ways to improve their products. Local politicians have also taken note of the impact of the trainings and have reached out to the project team to expand the training to include other local communities.

“The training was an eye opener for us,” said Katera Patience Kamwine, one of the women who attended the training. “We are proud that there is increased income and improved livelihoods in our community.”