Since the start of the second quarter of 2020, a multidimensional crisis has shaken Mali. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted not only the public health systems but also social and economic aspects of life. While the authorities are taking actions to limit the impact of the novel coronavirus, a political and social crisis spreads terror in Bamako paralyzing the entire state. The enforcement of a curfew throughout the country, restricting of movement as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus, as well as political demonstrations have had adverse effects on the national economy. The 2SCALE partner TRANSLAIT (the Union of women processors and resellers of Milk) suffered the consequences. Activities in their convenience kiosks, aiming to bring fresh milk closer to consumers, have as a result greatly declined.
TRANSLAIT and the challenges of Covid-19
Impacts on milk farmers
Moussa Dicko is a farmer and milk producer who has many years of experience. According to him, livestock farming is an ancestral practice for Fulanis. With global warming, nomadic Fulanis are becoming increasingly sedentary. Nowadays, moving with the cattle for grazing is not easy due to insecurity and climate change. Therefore, they are moving towards an improved breed of dairy cows through artificial insemination technology. Improved technology and better ways of dairy farming could not protect the farmers from the current crisis which Moussa describes as the worst in his entire life.
I had never experienced a crisis like this in my entire life. Our cattles are fed through the production of milk. Our cows produce milk every day; and for us, milk is not meant to be stored, it must be consumed. But with lower quantities taken by the collection centers, we do not know what to do with our milk. Since the beginning of Covid-19, our milk is going to waste.
For Oumar Barou Sy, a young dairy farmer, it was mainly mobility that caused the big concern. Even if they continue to produce milk, the main wholesale customers no longer came to take supplies from collection centers because of the restriction of movement. All the quantities they used to produce for selling in the night were wasted because of the curfew.
Challenges at the collection and treatment centers
At the milk collection and treatment centers, the compulsory wearing of masks for staff and milk deliverers, hand washing with soap as well as the regulatory distance between people were the new ways of life. Beyond all these measures, the quantity of milk to be collected became increasingly higher compared to the quantity requested by resellers. The loss was enormous. Issa Fomba the manager of the collection center of Kassela explains:
All those who bought our milk decreased the amount they were taking in the past. We went from 3600 liters to 2600 liters per day. This loss is enormous for the cooperative.
To minimize losses at the center, members decided to reject milk from non-members of the cooperative. Issa Fomba adds:
We could no longer accept all the quantities supplied to the center. Therefore, we first asked farmers to reduce the quantities, then we stopped taking milk from non-members of our cooperative. Some farmers were unhappy. This is a great risk too, because some may not come back to us when everything goes back to normal.
Lassana Sissoko is the manager of another mini dairy collection center located in Diatoula, on the outskirts of Bamako. In normal times, their production is about 4000 liters of milk per day. But with the Covid-19 pandemic, the center was only selling 300 liters per day. Therefore, they also began to reject the milk of their main farmers, because of the lack of means for preservation.
Our sales had fallen a lot. In addition to the curfew implemented during the night, our clientele has declined significantly. In addition, we couldn't keep all the rest of the milk either, as power cuts were frequent.
At the kiosks and other outlets
In traditional Malian society, all activities related to livestock or milk are assigned to the Fulanis. But nowadays, everyone is benefiting. This is the case of Ms. Fanta Demba, a 50 f years old member of TRANSLAIT. For Fanta, selling milk is more than a business.
I’m not Fulani. I am a Griot, so I’m fluent in talking to people. I got everything thanks to this milk business. For example, I was able to pay for my son's schooling, which amounts to 800,000 FCFA ($1,436) a year. Being able to achieve this is a pride for me
Although Fanta is proud of her business today, she was in shock at the news of the first cases of Covid-19 in Mali.
I was almost traumatized at first when I saw all these deaths on TV; and how quickly the virus spreads. Afterwards, I surrendered to the good Lord
Like farmers and collectors, resellers also recorded a sharp decline in their activities. Above all, it was their turnover that fell completely. Hady Diallo is a milk seller in Bamako. He employs 14 young people. Today he is considering relieving some, until the crisis ends, but is having a hard time deciding, as they are all looking after their families through this activity.
The impact of Covid-19 has caused us great suffering. Many customers have stopped buying the milk. Some of my potential clients have even had to tell me that they are suspicious because they don't know how the conditioning is done. I am considering relieving some of my workers until this crisis passes.
Another fear of Hady Diallo is the overflow of milk suppliers. Some are willing to sell their milk very cheaply, as long as they get rid of it. This is what is going to destroy the milk market.
Innovating to overcome challenges of Covid-19
Despite the gravity of the situation, the women of TRANSLAIT quickly considered measures to safely carry out their activities. Following the recommendations of local authorities, the union suspended all its monthly meetings, which required the physical presence of all members. A new communication platform has been created. Ms. Badiallo Dramé, President of the TRANSLAIT union says:
When physical meetings were banned, we adopted communication via whatsapp. All members were informed through that channel; and this still continues. But the gap was in the collection of contributions. Currently, we are seeing the possibility of being able to pay contributions via mobile money
Out of the Covid-19 pandemic, milk sellers are used to register a huge amount of unsold milk during the raining season. A local belief says the consumption of fresh milk can give malaria in that season. To date, TRANSLAIT and 2SCALE are planning to organize awareness campaigns on the virtues of consuming local milk, and to make people understand that fresh milk does not give malaria. A marketing strategy is also being developed to facilitate the flow of milk in all seasons.