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USAID John Ogonowski Farmer-to-Farmer Program |
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Volume1, Issue 3, January 2005 |
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Improving Milk Quality and Milk Processing- Honduras, Volunteer-Dr. Alvaro Garcia Our first featured volunteer for this year is Dr. Alvaro Garcia, Associate Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist at South Dakota State University. He is also a veterinarian who specializes in Dairy cattle nutrition, which made him the perfect candidate for this assignment. Cattle farmers in Honduras have been severely struggling with milk handling and providing the proper nutrition to their cattle. The problem that existed was mainly due to lack of equipment-operation knowledge, general management issues, forage utilization, and insufficient knowledge of correct milk processing methods. Another serious issue was the possibility of one farm experiencing milk quality problems, tainting the milk quality from more than 50 producers. In an attempt to help resolve these issues, the FENAGH (a national association) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land O’Lakes, created several Centros de Recoleccion de Leche (CRELs). However, despite their efforts no immediate noticeable result was achieved. Dr. Garcia’s primary activities consisted of lecturing on Milk quality improvement and forage management. During these sessions, farmers also engaged in hands-on training on how to use their existing equipment. The farmers were also educated on how to reduce and control somatic cells and high bacteria counts found in the produced milk. Because of this assignment, framers gained more knowledge on processing milk, improving milk quality and better management of CRELs. Another interesting fact is that farmers will receive further training in South Dakota at the Midwest Dairy Institute. |
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Recent Volunteer Projects |
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Credit Approval Made Easier- Nicaragua, Volunteer- Omar Salinero Credit administration is a very important issue for the economical growth of the agricultural industry in Nicaragua. Private Banks are not willing to take risks on small farmers who are more than likely not capable of repaying any loans. This of course, poses a major stumbling block for small farmers who rely on agriculture to provide income. After an unsuccessful attempt of the Rural Credit Fund (Fondo De Credito Rural) to address this problem, FTF volunteer Omar Salinero was send out to help resolve these obstacles as much as possible. Mr. Salinero helped FCR improve their application and approval process by auditing and recommending much needed changes. Salinero also hosted a two-day seminar for the cooperatives which addressed marketing needs and major concerns in the credit approval process. A major highlight of the seminar was the attendance of President Enrique Bolaños, who made an extraordinary effort to address the cooperatives’ needs. Direct impact of this assignment included a drastic change in the cooperatives’ credit documentation, and most important, a new sense of purpose and motivation to improve business practices.
FCR Employees with President Bolaños and Mr. Salinero |
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Volunteer Opportunities Guatemala Plant Disease Identification Training Vegetal Nutrition with focus in Avocado Flowering Pest’s Identification Training with PCR Methodology Early Detection of Thrips Palmi Monitoring System Training Honduras Training in Quality Milk with CRELs of Tela, Atlantida Hot Chili Sauce Market Study El Salvador Greenhouse Installation and Operation for Rural Women Vegetables Pest and Disease Management Practices Greenhouse Production of Flowers and Vegetables Improving Strawberry Production Nicaragua Cooperative Organization and Development Soil Fertility and Management Practices |
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Contact us: Florida International University Eugenio Pino and Family Global Entrepreneurship Center Institute for Community Innovation Carmen Algeciras (305) 348-0399 algecira@fiu.edu www.entrepreneurship.fiu.edu/usaid |
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