Completed project
The dairy industry, a sustainable solution to strengthen the local economy in the municipality of Viacha
November 2013 to February 2017
CAD$ 1,021,858
over three years, including: $499,999 from Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) $475,160 from Bolivian Cement Production Society (SOBOCE) $46,699 from the local government
778 families
saw their income rise 35% over four years 3,200 milk producers received support to facilitate milk production and marketing, as well as sound business management More than 1,000 milk producers received training (57% of whom were women)
Bolivian Cement Society (SOBOCE) Autonomous Municipal Government of Viacha (AMGV) Mallkus council Pachamaman Urupa Qhantawi (PUQ)
The prosperous dairy industry
In the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, where the city of La Paz meets the rural high plain of Altiplano, the Bolivian Cement Society (SOBOCE) provides jobs and income to a large section of the population. In an effort to diversify the economy and provide an alternate source of income, the project has worked to develop a prosperous dairy industry in the region.
Milk production is indeed a fruitful activity with excellent economic potential. There are three major dairy industries in the municipality of Viacha. The project, led by the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), supplies technical tools and support to communities involved in milk production to promote their economic and social well-being.
One of the project objectives is to implement a structure that will improve both the quantity and the quality milk produced. These efforts will also help develop a lasting expertise in the industry, which will reinject revenue into the local economy.
Key interventions become clear objectives:
- Increase grazing: improve feeding and selection of dairy cows
- Build infrastructure to facilitate production: sand, troughs, silos, greenhouses, etc.
- Improve marketing skills
- Provide technical assistance for milk production: training on pasture management, irrigation, infrastructure maintenance, dairy cow health, hygiene, etc.
- Ensure a high-quality product: establish a cold chain process to ensure proper storage of milk until it is collected for distribution to buyers
Respect for values and key principles
Each of the project components emphasizes good sustainable development practices. Examples of this are:
- Environment: Improved grazing management and moderate, calculated water use
- Gender equity: Improved decision-making process to ensure representation of women within their own families, dairy production businesses, and communities partaking in the project
Results
- 931 families have benefited from the project. The total amount of beneficiaries has been overpassed by 16%;
- 65 % of families have improved their production capacities, due to the installation of infrastructures such as stables and water troughs. Producers have also learned about animal health and nutrition;
- 88% of men and women have received trainings in hygienic milking and quality control, record management and trading;
- The volume of milk produced per cow has increased by 206%, due to animal care, preventive and curative health;
- 86 % of beneficiaries learned how to use technology to evaluate the quality of milk;
- 49% of women members of community associations occupy leadership roles
Results that count
60%
of families of producers of milk that were part of the Project who have access to better infrastructure and technology
3188
producers of milk who have strengthened their productive capacities
797
families who have strengthened their associative skills in quality milk production for its commercialization