Tanga Fresh Ltd Moved to New Factory

Photos: Tanga Fresh, Farm Friends and d.o.b foundation

Tanga Fresh Ltd has moved full production to the new factory. The new factory and grounds have been renovated and nearly all the equipment has been installed. On May 26th 2009 Tanga Fresh officially stopped production in the old factory and moved to the new one. It's a historical moment, since exactly twelve years ago Tanga Fresh started testing dairy production in the old factory.

After testing the machinery with water they tested with milk, increasing amounts everyday. The normal start up problems are being experienced, but 27th of May 30.000 litres of milk was already processed. The old factory was built to handle about 10.000 litres per day, but the capacity was stretched to 25.000 litres. The new factory can now process 50.000 litres, which can easily be expanded to a capacity of up to 80.000 litres per day.

Financial and Non-Financial Support

d.o.b foundation is highly committed to Tanga Fresh. d.o.b has acquired 65% of the shares in Tanga Fresh Ltd. for € 482.740 and has given a loan of € 3.000.000 which has been provided in Tanzanian shillings. Furthermore d.o.b provides network, strategical and legal assistance.

Drought

It was extremely dry in Tanga during the last months, which has resulted in a shortage of milk. Even though it has started to rain again, farmers' milk production is still not at the expected level. Several measures have been taken to increase milk supply in the dry period. For instance more cows have been inseminated and a stimulation program was set up to double each farmer's production. For the coming dry period Tanga Fresh Ltd will be creating a stock of fodder that can be sold to the farmers when necessary.

Holland Dairies Expands

Holland Dairies provides for the production of crossbred heifers (local zebu cow and a black spotted Holstein-Frisian bull) for the farmers. As the demand for heifers is rising, and to be able to keep delivering high quality cattle, Holland Dairies plans to build a new breeding station.

For this an agreement has been made with Katani Ltd, not only owner of Sisa, which generates energy from sisal waste, but also of Mruazi, a cattle company. At Mruazi the new Heifer Breeding Unit will be established. Holland Dairies, a social enterprise, will receive a subsidy from the Dutch Ministery of Development Cooperation for start up costs.