The workshop program is based on the numerous joint activities developed before and during the E-Motive exchange between the Netherlands, India, Ethiopia and Uganda in 2015 4 and 2015. The workshops aim to inform on the results so far and facilitate a discussion on next steps.
WORKSHOP 1
Outcome of small-scale on-farm research with herbal remedies: prevention of mastitis and calf diarrhoea in Overijssel
Marije Thybaut – VKON, Arie Boorsma – Biochem Products, Lilian Raemaeckers (English and Dutch)
Report on two small trials on basis of Ayurvedic recipes were done in 2014 (on mastitis prevention) and 2015 (ongoing – on calf diarrhoea) with support of Province Overijssel, RIKILT-Wageningen University and De Woldberg Veterinary Clinic in Steenwijk. Next steps include Ayurvedic support in validation and recipe development on basis of Dutch herbs.
WORKSHOP 2
Is antibiotic-free dairy farm management feasible in the Netherlands – initiatives in Friesland
Kees van Veluw – Louis Bolk Instituut, Sjoerd Miedema – Miedema Natuurlijk and John Arink (English and Dutch).
Sjoerd Miedema (in transition to organic dairy) and John Arink (organic dairy farmer) will present their achievements in reducing antibiotics to (almost) zero. The discussion will focus on what is needed to further reduce the use of antibiotics in dairy farming in the Netherlands.
WORKSHOP 3
Guide to prevent disease and the use of herbal products to strengthen health of dairy cows in the Netherlands
Gerdien Kleijer – NVF Dier & Kruid , Maria Groot – RIKILT Wageningen UR, Tine van Werven – Veterinary Faculty Utrecht (English and Dutch)
Intro on background and set-up of the Dutch stable guides for farmers on the use of herbal medicine (on dairy, pigs, chicken and calf rearing): first experiences, discussion how to move on, improve and implement the use of natural remedies in Netherlands as well as in other countries. http://www.fyto-v.nl/en/index2.php
WORKSHOP 4
Experiences with Breeding strategies towards resilient dairy cows
Wytze Nauta – BioKI, SatheshKumar Soundarapandian – TANUVAS, India and Getachew Gebru, ESAP Ethiopia
Resilient cows are healthier and less susceptible to diseases. Wytze Nauta, director of BIOKI, Sathesh Kumar of TANUVAS veterinary University in India, and Getachew Gebru of ESAP Ethiopia compare their breeding strategies and the importance of local breeds in the Natural Livestock Farming approach.
WORKSHOP 5
Need to reduce use of antibiotics and acaricides for tick control in Uganda
Robert Wangoola, dairy expert Uganda, Jan van der Zee – Veterinary clinic Beesterzwaag, Arie Boorsma – Biochem Products
In Uganda, ticks cause diseases and farmers spray local and exotic breeds with pesticides which are harmful for the farmers’ health and the ecosystem. Jan van der Zee and Robert Wangoola share their experiences on tick control. Arie Boorsma (Biochem products) shares first results of a natural treatment for ticks being developed in the Netherlands with Staatsbosbeheer.
WORKSHOP 6
Ways to promote African social entrepreneurship related to dairy farming
Wim Goris – AgriProfocus, Getachew Gebru – ESAP Ethiopia, Elizabeth Katushabe – PENHA Uganda
This workshop compares farmers’ experiences, consumer awareness and marketing strategies in the Netherlands and Africa for quality milk (without residues) and explores how the Netherlands and Africa can learn from each other on milk quality control as a key to new business models.
WORKSHOP 7
Strengthening Herbal product enterprise development in India and the Netherlands
Marimuthu Swaminathan – Trans-Disciplicary University TDU India, Punniamurthi – TANUVAS veterinary university India, and Phytocare Dutch herbal company (to be confirmed)
The TransDisciplinary University TDU has developed a kit with herbal products to prevent and cure mastitis in dairy cows, on basis of the famous recipe with Aloe vera, Kurkuma and Calciumhydroxide powder. The kit is the first of several herbal products for dairy farming, to be produced on basis of community-enterprise development. Herbal company Phytocare will explain their strategy for herbal enterprise development in the Dutch context (to be confirmed)
WORKSHOP 8
Revitalizing Indian dairy for food safety and health – Netherlandse-India collaboration in The Trust Dairy Initiative with dairy companies in India
G.T. Gopal – managing director KOMUL dairy factory, P. Dayavathi – Indian dairy farmer, Katrien van ‘t Hooft – Dutch Farm Experience
Komul is one of the participating dairy factories in the new pilot project with local communities to produce guaranteed residue-free milk for cheese production, on basis of the 4-tier approach: animal management, medicinal plants, milk quality control and extra payment of farmers. Managing director G.T. Gopal of Komul dairy factory will outline the project with TDU, TANUVAS and Solidaridad-Asia, with Dutch support from RIKILT and Dutch Farm Experience. Organic dairy farmer Dayavathi will show how she produces and markets her organic milk in Kerala.
WORKSHOP 9
The potential of traditional practices in cattle production in Ethiopia and India, including the use of medicinal plants
M. Taffese – ESAP Ethiopia, Suresh Bharata Kerala Veterinary Council India, M.N.B.Nair, Transdisciplinary University TDU, India
Metekia Taffese will share his experience and research of documentation on ethnoveterinary practices amongst Gamo and Goffa pastoralists of Ethiopia and the potential of including this approach in present day dairy farming. M.N.B.Nair highlights in which way the Indian organization TDU can support this process in Ethiopia, by strenthening assessment, validation, as well as herbal enterprise development. Suresh Bharata will highlight the potential of local knowledge and herbal medicine to control post-partum problems in dairy cows.
WORKSHOP 10
Developing a post-graduate diploma course on use of medicinal plants for Dutch veterinarians, combining knowledge from the Netherlands and India
Punniamurthi – TANUVAS, Hans NijBijvank – DAP de Woldberg, Erna Post – DAP Olst-Wijhe
Tamil Nadu University Veterinary and Animal Sciences (TANUVAS) will combine forces with the Dutch Animals&Herbs (Dier&Kruid) working group of NVF, in developing a 1 year Post-Graduate course for Dutch veterinarians on the use of medicinal plants. The course combines direct teaching with on-line course work. Together with Dutch veterinarians Hans NijBijvank and Erna Post we will discuss how Dutch veterinarians can benefit from this. Plans are to start the combined course in 2016.