MilkAfric catalyses growth of dairy farming
Dumisani Ncube | Thursday February 11, 2016 18:00
The training programme is expected to help develop the dairy industry, as it will equip the 15 students with more professional and technological skills that are required within the dairy sector. Five of the 15 students are agriculture dairy officers at the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).
“Upon their return, these trainees will be well equipped and competent in all aspects of dairy management and amongst them shall be nutrition, animal breeding, calving, parlour and equipment maintenance specialists,” said MilkAfric CEO Phil Matibe at the send off ceremony at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
Matibe stated that apart from the knowledge that they would acquire at the University of Florida, the students will receive practical training from Alliance Dairies based in Florida. Alliance Dairies is MilkAfric’s technical partners.
Upon return the students will be contracted with MilkAfric for fives years save for the five officers from the MoA. The five officers will return to the ministry as they will be engaged in dairy extension work across the country where they will help small holder farmers develop viable dairy enterprises.
MilkAfric has also made this an annual scholarship, which will see a number of agriculture students going to study in the U.S. The scholarship has been dedicated to the former Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe who has been supporting the programme from the first time it was conceptualised.
Prior to their departure, the students leader Tumelo Kebinaefe stated that this was not only an opportunity for the 15 students but for the country as a whole as they will bring a set of new skills that will help develop the country’s farming and dairy sector.
Apart from sending agriculture students to study abroad, MilkAfric is constructing a dairy plant worth P120m located in Lobatse. The plant is expected to create employment in the country.