Food Security through Introduction of Pregnant Cows

Staff of the ACJ-YMCA and Sheaf consulted with local leaders (promoters) in the area of Veracruz, near the city of Rivas in Southern Nicaragua, to discuss how best to help the rural poor in this area. They concluded that the community could be best served by the introduction of pregnant cows.  This project was recommended because the milk and milk products would both contribute to better family nutrition and boost family income by the sale of surplus milk or dairy products at a local market.

The project began in 2011 when SHEAF supplied funds to introduce 20 cows to 20 vetted peasant families along with the necessary veterinarian and extension support. To qualify families had to have school age children (12 and under) and have access to pasture land and water. The project was made sustainable by each cow owner paying forward by giving the first born female calf to another vetted peasant family. If the first born is a male, the farmer could chose to keep it or sell it to buy a female replacement. The next female would be given away to honor the debt. Thus the project in time would extend much further than the original 20 families. The planning came to fruition in 2011 when the first 20 cows were introduced into the Veracruz community. Another 20 cows were introduced in 2012 and 12 more in 2013.

The pregnant cow project was and is very successful. This project is now into the 4th generation of gifting new born calves. However, the land is approaching the optimum number of cows that can be sustained that means no more new pregnant cows will be introduced in this area.  The project is ongoing and sustainable as the first born calf of each existing cow is gifted to another vetted family elsewhere.  This process of gifting cows will continue and the number of rural families who benefit will increase.

The families not only received training in cow maintenance, especially in ensuring there was enough food and water during the dry season, but also in cultivation of vegetable gardens and maintenance of pasture land.