Dairy farmers in Tanga have started reaping the benefits of a groundbreaking initiative aimed at tackling mastitis an udder infection that significantly affects milk production through training offered under the NANO COM project.
The initiative is spearheaded by Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
Speaking during a training session held in Tanga, the project’s lead researcher, Prof. Gaymary Bakari, explained that the goal was to provide feedback from initial research findings and gather insights directly from farmers about the challenges they face.
“This training is part of our ongoing assessment of mastitis prevalence in the Tanga region. After completing preliminary research, we are now sharing findings with farmers, listening to their experiences, and working to improve the alternative treatment solutions we are developing,” said Prof. Bakari.
Dr. Rashid Chonga Nasoro, a livestock officer from the Tanga City Council, commended SUA for extending this important knowledge to the farming community.
“These training sessions will greatly help in reducing the impact of mastitis. Farmers have learned proper prevention and control techniques, which are essential for improving herd health and productivity,” said Dr. Chonga.
Farmers who participated in the training expressed appreciation for the practical knowledge they gained.
Winnie Lema from Mzizima Ward noted that the sessions helped her understand the critical role of hygiene during milking, while Hamza Mshana from Kiomoni Ward shared that he discovered common mistakes they had been unknowingly making in their milking practices.
The NANO COM project is currently being implemented in five regions across Tanzania Tanga, Iringa, Mbeya, Njombe, and Arusha.
The research aims to identify the root causes of mastitis and develop effective, locally appropriate alternative treatments to support dairy farmers nationwide.
