PDTC - Eldoret Baraka Farm
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The Practical Dairy Training Centre (PDTC) in Eldoret, established by the Lewa Children's Home Trust in 2003, offers training to smallholder farmers on practical dairy production through a five-day course combining 60% practical and 40% theoretical components. The center features a zero-grazing unit for practical demonstrations and has trained 118 farmers, with a focus on improving the skills of small-scale dairy producers. Challenges faced include resource sharing, trainee preferences for shorter courses, and marketing efforts to expand outreach.
PDTC - Eldoret Baraka Farm
- 1. PRACTICAL DAIRY TRAINING CENTRE ELDORET(PDTC)
- 2. ABOUT US Practical Dairy Training Centre Eldoret was started as a project of Lewa Children’s Home Trust which is a charitable non- governmental organization. Since 2003, more than 10,000 guests from all over East Africa have visited Baraka Farm. These guests were farmers, livestock officers, students etc. Phyllis Keino (director of LCH and BF) and Jos Creemers (manager) developed a plan to have the small-holder zero-grazing demonstration unit turned into a small training Centre for so called smallholder farmers. The management of Lewa Children’s Home (LCH) realized the need to improve the skills of small scale farmers on practical dairy production. LCH set aside 2.5 acres of the farm to establish practical dairy training center (PDTC) where relevant demonstrations can be done.
- 3. OUR TRAINING PROGRAMMES We offer a five (5) day training course that starts on Monday and ends on Friday. Our training is highly practical during the 5 days. It includes 60%practical and 40 % theoretical approach. Thecourse is taught through the following modules. •Feeding •Napier Grass Management •Housing •Calf Rearing •Milk Technique and Hygiene
- 5. PRACTICAL SESSION AT THE ZERO GRAZING UNIT SESSION DISCUSSION SESSION AT THE ZERO GRAZING UNIT
- 6. THEORY SESSION IN THE CLASSROOM PDTC TRAINER (MARTIN) TAKING FARMERS THROUGH THE PRACTICAL SESSION AT THE ZERO GRAZING UNIT
- 7. MARKETING STRATEGIES Trainers during a practical session at our dairy unit being facilitated by Mr.JurjenDraaijer
- 8. FACILITIES AVAILABLE -ZERO GRAZING UNIT. At the zero grazing unit, one can see Napier grass, and a 'protein bank' Protein rich crops which can be used to contribute to ratio of the cow. The zero grazing unit makes use of appropriate technologyaimed at low input farming and a gradual improvement of genetic potential of the cows available at the small holder farmers unit and a gradual improvement of the fodder and feeds available. - ZERO GRAZING UNIT
- 9. NAPIER GRASS AT THE ZG UNIT FODDER CROPS AT THE ZG UNIT
- 10. Other Facilities available to conduct the training 1.Class room is available with chairs and tables. 2.Video and TV screen are available 3.Accommodation (boarding and lodging) for participants is available. DINING ROOM
- 11. ONE OF OUR ROOMS CLASSROOM WITH TV SET
- 12. The Baraka Farm has 80 Holstein Friesian dairy cows which are studbook registered. The young stock rearing unit is a modern zero grazing system which achieves high growth rates.
- 13. COWS AT THE DAIRY UNIT READY TO BE MILKED MILKING PARLOUR
- 14. MALE, 82%, FEMALE, 18%, FARMERS TRAINED AS AT 1ST AUGUST 2014 MALE FEMALE As at 1stAugust PDTC-Eldorethas trained 118 farmers/ trainers who includes; 21 female (18%) and 97 Male (82%)from different counties countrywide. This includes; 6% self sponsored, 89% SNV sponsored and 5% LCH Sponsored.
- 15. BARINGO14% UASIN GISHU, 44% MERU9% NYANDARUA5% POKOT7% KAKAMEGA3% ELGEYO MARAKWET7% HOMABAY2% NAKURU9% FARMERS TRAINED PER COUNTY BARINGO UASIN GISHU MERU NYANDARUA POKOT KAKAMEGA ELGEYO MARAKWET HOMABAY NAKURU
- 16. Riftvalley71% western5% Nyanza2% Eastern 14% Central8% FARMERS ATTENDANCE ACCORDING TO PROVINCES Riftvalley western Nyanza Eastern Central
- 17. Trainers11% small scaleFarmers70% Large scale Farmers15% students4% FARMERS/TRAINERS Trainers small scaleFarmers Large scale Farmers students
- 18. FEB15% MARCH18% APRIL9% MAY22% JUNE18% JULY18% MONTHLY ATTENDANCE FEB MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY
- 19. CHALLENGES WE ENCOUNTER •Sharing of resources with the home •Most potential trainees prefer one day training •Marketing •Certificate of attendance
- 20. Our marketing strategies include; •Designing and distribution of Brochures/ fliers •Sharing information on Social media i.e. Facebook, twitter, you tube •TV, News paper •NGO's like SNV, heifer international, one acre fund etc. •Milk processing companies KCC, Brookside, Buzekietc. •Possible in the future, livestock breeders show, Eldoret show, KLPA(Kenya Livestock Producers Association) field days etc. •Word of mouth
- 21. THE END PRESENTATION PREPARED BY ANN & MARTIN