THE EXPERIENCES OF MPEMBA MILK BULKING GROUP IN ENHANCING WOMEN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN MALAWI

Abstract

MM (P&DM) thesis

The study explores the experiences and challenges experienced with regards to empowerment and poverty reduction in dairy farming at Mpemba Milk Bulking Group in Blantyre South West Constituency in Malawi. Data was derived from extensive focus group discussions and individual interviews with people connected with the dairy farming. One senior official from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Rural Development was interviewed in addition to people directly concerned with dairy farming. The purpose of interviewing the ministry official was to get understanding of government policies on women empowerment.
 The results indicate that the contribution of MMBG to women empowerment with regards to poverty reduction is not significant as one might expect. Although the respondents reported some economic benefits, the findings suggest that all smallholder farmers in this group are living below poverty line. Their daily expenditure is below US$ 1.25 which is a basic need requirement. However, the farmers are happy with the group because they see it as having the potential to empower women and reduce poverty among the members.
 The services that MMBG provides to its members include loans for cows, financial loan, and veterinary services. The loan for a cow is repaid by passing over the young female calf to new members of the group but the loan remain outstanding if the cow has not given birth to female calf. Financial loans are repaid gradually from sales of milk.
 The study has shown that MMBG experiences a number of challenges which constrain members from getting maximum benefit from dairy farming. The major challenges include: low price of milk due to inefficient market system; lack of value addition to milk; scarcity; and high cost of animal feeds. The farmers do not get desired returns as they fail to buy nutritive feeds that can make the cows to be more productive.