September 14, 2021

Fresh milk and malaria in Mali: What is the connection?

Animal Production Related

Mali

In Mali, during the rainy season, cases of malaria increase dramatically. Scientifically, it is the mosquito that causes malaria. But according to local beliefs, other fresh foodstuffs such as eggs and fresh milk also spread malaria. This myth is a big challenge for milk producers and retailers who make a profit from this activity. As for the union of women milk processors and resellers in Bamako, a member of our Translait partnership in Mali, it is a superstitious belief that affects their sales.

Raising awareness to change perception

In order to make people understand the virtues of fresh milk, to promote it and to break the taboo that affects the resellers, Translait and 2SCALE organized a vast awareness campaign in the six communes of the district of Bamako. This was necessary toinform people about the consumption of local fresh milk in any season, including the rainy season.

In front of a delighted audience, the honorary president of Translait, Mrs. Lala Niangadou, made a testimony to break the taboo on the consumption of fresh milk in the rainy season.

The local milk we sell is of very good quality. I was personally surprised to learn that fresh milk gives malaria during the rainy season. I am originally from Nioro du Sahel. We are used to consuming fresh milk in all seasons and at any time of the day. Even when children get sick, we give them milk as medicine.

Impact on activities

The period between June and September is a time of considerable rainfall in Mali. It is therefore an ideal time to raise awareness among reluctant consumers, according to Ms. Dico Thiam, Translait's Secretary for External Relations. She explains:

We found it necessary to organize the campaign in this period because it is the time when we have more milk. Cows produce a lot of milk in the winter season. However, it is in this period that many people have reservations about consuming the milk, because they believe that it causes malaria. We wanted to reassure the population that there is no link between malaria and milk. For us, this misinformation has a negative impact on our sales.

In addition to reassuring people about the quality of local milk promoted by Translait, the organizers also took the opportunity to direct consumers to the kiosks and convenience stores that are now accessible in all municipalities of the city of Bamako.Between doubt and reluctance, the people present at the ceremony were convinced by the arguments of the different actors who underlined all the interests that are in the consumption of local milk. Mrs. Mariam Kané, a participant testified :

I am very happy with the organization of today's event, because it allowed us to know that milk does not cause malaria. In addition, we understood that the milk sold in the Translait kiosks is of good quality. So it motivates us more to consume local milk.

One of Translait's objectives is to make local milk accessible to all. However, the consumption of yogurt or other milk-based products is still limited to a specific segment of the population. For some, the cost of milk in general is beyond the reach of low-income consumers. During this awareness campaign, the actors mentioned some difficulties that hinder the development of local production. One of the key challenges is the tough competition from imported milk powder. According to Mr. Mallé, the President of the union, the challenge is great:

In Mali, powdered milk is cheaper than local fresh milk. This affects the production and distribution of local milk. To enhance the value and promote the consumption of local milk, stakeholders are mobilized to face the challenge of importing milk powder.

Other additional measures are being considered by the women of Translait, as part of the 2SCALE partnership, to increase awareness. These include the production of radio and television sketches, as well as other communication media.

With a current capacity of milk processed and sold around 5000 liters per year, the union, in partnership with 2SCALE, aims to increase its capacity to 10 000 liters by 2023.

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