The impact of intervention on mastitis in an emerging dairy developing country - Uganda

An intervention study was undertaken for controlling mastitis in four different study groups: 1) selective dry cow therapy and improved hygiene, 2) improved hygiene and post milking teat dipping, 3) formation of 3 training groups of farmers in rural, peri-urban and urban herds in a modified Farmer Field School approach, and 4) a longitudinal study. Focus was made on effect of different control options on the occurrence of the disease, the economic benefits of the control options, and empowerment of the farmers. The purpose was to identify and recommend to farmers strategies to control mastitis, which are cost effective and easily adopted. The intervention study was carded out on 65 smallholder dairy farms with 153 lactating cows through qualitative, quantitative and microbiological methods for a period of 12 months. A participatory impact assessment (PIA) was carried out 12 months after intervention to determine the qualitative impact of the intervention project as perceived by the farmers. Overall the farmers ranked the benefits at household level as improved hygiene on the farms, reduced mastitis cases, increased cooperation with veterinarians, better access to mastitis control inputs, improved record keeping and increased milk production. The farmers perception after having used the strategies for a period of time was absolutely necessary in estimating and recommending strategies to the goat that they must be 'easily adopted and used by the small holder dairy farmers sustainably'.