This morning Malawi Milk Producers Association – Mmpa (MMPA) participated in a meeting which was organized by Central Region Milk Production (CREMPA)with support from Sida at Mponela RTC. The agenda of the meeting is to discuss how we can end the critical issue of THEFT of DAIRY COWS.

According to MMPA and CREMPA data, over 15 pregnant cows have been stolen within 17 milk bulking groups (Milk bulking group) in the central region from July to December 2025. This has brought fear to the dairy sector in Malawi. The inspection indicates that cows are stolen at night, and slaughtered at a hidden place, packed in sacks and sold to butcheries.

This meeting has brought concerned stakeholders together including representatives from Malawi police, District animal development officers, VDCs rep, MBG chairs, CREMPA & MMPA officers. The solutions to strengthen security being discussed are ranging from Community to District and National level.

In his remarks, MMPA president suggested collaborative security system where awareness has to be made in the community and work with community fiscal police.

Malawi police representative emphasized on prompt information sharing once an animal is stolen, and promised to back stop every animal movement and slaughter taking place in respective places. Forsake of security, other solutions discussed will not be shared here.

Malawi Milk Producers Association believes that field days with the farmers has more impact in building capacity and networking as farmers are exposed to information on services, support, inputs, and markets.

Moving with the theme “improved dairy production through improved breeding program,” on 5th December 2025, MMPA organized Field Day at Mpalo Dairy Cooperative in Ntchisi where several stake holders including the Government representative from Ntchisi district, Central Region Milk Producers Association (CREMPA) and farmers from Mpalo and Mweramkaka COOP were invited. The guest of honour was the Director of Agriculture Services for Ntchisi District Mr. Chautsi while MMPA was led by the National Director Mr. Herbert Chagona.

In his speech the National Director for MMPA, reported increased percentage of Artificial Insemination services and Calves born. According to his report, in a space of one year, MMPA has inseminated 2,181 cows in Central region, out of that 321 Calves have been born, While Mpalo alone has inseminated 168 cows, and 16 have already calved down. Despite of the good progress, the cases of theft of pregnant dairy animals is increasing and this is threatening the development of the dairy sector. The guest of honor, in his speech he appreciated what Mpalo Cooperative is doing, and he pleaded with farmers to take dairy as sustainable business. The director of Agriculture assured the farmers that the government is working very hard to support and promote initiatives by agricultural cooperative.

During the pavilion walk, MMPA displayed the following;

1. Jersey Heifer Calf born from artificial insemination program.
2. The minerals packs which boost milk production and heat signs.
3. Silage bags which are used to make silage thereby preserving feed.
4. Deworming tablets which boost animals healthy.
5. Show casing how AI is done.

On the other hand, Mpalo Cooperative displayed Pasture, Standard Khola and Yogurt which they are making.

This program is supported by RJA&HS and JOA

MMPA and Dzaonewekha dairy cooperative organized a FIELD DAY at Dzaonewekha dairy cooperative in Dedza District on Friday 15th August. Theme for the field day was “improved dairy production through improved breeding program,” where farmers were able to learn from successful farmers who have bred their cows with Jersey semen using artificial insemination (A.I.).

In his speech, The National Director for MMPA reported that from August last year they had a target of inseminating 1,500 cows but they have reached 1,700 cows inseminated under the project supported by RJA&HS and JOA. Out of that, 171 calves have already been born which will bring significant increase in milk production. The project is offering continuous refresher trainings and engagements with the A.I. technicians, AVOs and MBG leaderships. Furthermore, the project has subsidized semen and liquid nitrogen costs.

During the field day, other stakeholders joined included; EcoGen Malawi, and CIC insurance company and Livetock district officer who was the guest of honour. Representatives of other dairy groups; Thanzi and Chitsanzo dairy cooperatives also joined the event.

On the pavilion’s MMPA showcased minerals, molasses, silage bags, Semen handling, Jersey calf etc, ECoGen showcased Biogas and bio fertilizer, CIC showcased insurance products and Dzaonewekha mbg showcased protein feed ingredients.

MMPA is working very hard to promote dairy business in Malawi for sake of benefit of smallholder farmers.se

Did you know that Kasungu produces more milk? On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, MMPA visited one of biggest, and strongest member cooperative known as Mtunthama Mlatho Dairy COOP. Situated around Mtunthama, started in 2020,currently it has a membership of 456 farmers members with 379 dairy cows and 60 heifer calves. The group was once supported with heifers from K2TASO and AGCOM projects while MMPA is supporting them with improved breeding services through artificial insemination (A.I.)using Jersey semen. During the visit, MMPA was impressed to see alot of jersey calves born from farmers. Despite of the good progress, farmers complained of lack of market for raw milk which has discouraged farmers from milking their cows. MMPA encouraged them to record milk production for the next three months so that the records can used in finding them an Offtaker ( processors). Meanwhile, MMPA has encouraged them to look for market or open a milk quosky in Kasungu township as they await larger offtakers.

Therefore, MMPA Edges those in Kasungu who may need raw milk to contact Mtunthama-Mlatho DAIRY COOP by getting contacts from 0995441494.

MMPA organized meeting with the Assistance veterinary officers (AVOs) and artificial insemination technicians from 16 EPAs and 17 Milk Bulking Groups in the central region. The main agenda of the meeting was to strengthen the collaboration between these two teams. During the meeting, MMPA updated the forum that it has inseminated 1,361 dairy cows and 78 calves are already born among smallholder from August 2024 up to date. This a very good indicater milk production will significantly in the central region coming the next 2 years. Other issues discussed during during the meeting were as follows;

1) How to take care of calves

2) How to handle issues of record keeping

3) how to handle the cows on repeated records

4) How to discourage the use of live bulls

5) How to prevent and control animal diseases

6) how to prevent selling and slaughtering of pregnant dairy cows

The meeting brought solution to the list and agreed on the flow of communication.

MMPA is promoting artificial insemination with support from RJA $ HS.

Happy World Milk Day from Malawi Milk Producers Association – Mmpa! Celebrating the nutritional benefits and delicious taste of milk

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It was our pleasure to be visited by the Head of International Dairy for Development Project, David Hambrook under RJA&HS. MMPA is working in collaboration with RJA&HS to improve dairy breed through promotion of Artificial Insemination using Jersey breed. David Visited farmers of Likuni and Mpalo MBGs where he witnessed the cows which are pregnant of Jersey semen. Furthermore, he visited our Liquid Nitrogen Machine that has just been repaired. After a brief presentation on the progress, David was happy with the efforts MMPA is doing towards dairy development in the country. It is our hope that improved dairy breed will increase milk production and improve milk quality thereby increasing farmers income.

Malawi Milk Producers Association – Mmpa, as an umbrella body for all smallholder dairy farmers in Malawi is happy with the inclusion of MILK (K800/L) among the agricultural commodities on the current Government Minimum Farmgate Prices released today under the ministry of Agriculture. MMPA has been fighting for this development since 2020. This will encourage farmers to producer more milk, and of good quality. Thanks to all partners including Dairy Industry Development Platform members and Cisanetmw. Special Thanks to the ministry of Agriculture and its departments i.e. DAHLD & DAES who are working very hard to improve the business of dairy farming in Malawi.