MEDA gets boost for Pakistan dairy project with chillers

MEDA and local partner Engro Foundation are improving Pakistan’s dairy production with 60 chillers being provided to dairy farmers in rural Sindh and Punjab under the Women Empowerment through Livestock Development (WELD) project funded by USAID.Kim Pityn, MEDA’s chief operating officer, signs a contract that will see local partner Engro Foods and Engro Foundation contribute $670,000 to install 60 milk chillers in the Sindh and Punjab districts of Pakistan. Helen Loftin, MEDA’s director of women’s economic development, watches the contract signing.

The chillers, financed by Engro Foundation and Engro Foods, help dairy farmers in remote areas earn more income by ensuring proper storage of their milk. Without chillers, milk collected and stored at homes deteriorates quickly, especially during the summer months. An estimated 20% of all milk collected is lost to improper storage. Chillers preserve milk quality and minimize losses, ultimately resulting in higher returns to the farmers.

Kim Pityn, MEDA’s chief operating officer, said, “This will bring about positive economic change in the region, especially for women dairy farmers and micro-entrepreneurs.”

Engro also agreed to invest in equipment for female livestock extension workers (FLEW) and female village milk collectors (FVMC).

The WELD project is developing the dairy sector by linking milk producers to leading milk processors and buyers. The dairy farmers, most of whom are women, also receive training in livestock management, nutrition, milking practice and animal health care. WELD aims to help 15,000 dairy farmers increase their incomes by 50% in the next two and a half years.