Dynamics of Women’s Adaptation to Change in a Suburban Dairy System in West Africa

Abstract

In West Africa, through dairy development projects, new dairy models emerge alongside the traditional production system as a result of technology innovations and dairy policy. However, the creation of milk collection centers, small dairy farms and dairy plants disrupts the traditional social organization of the dairy system and contributes to gender marginalization. Some women are dispossessed of the activities of milk collection, marketing, and management of milk revenue to the profit of men herders or owners. This process may thus contribute to the loss of their financial autonomy. To understand better these changes, a case study of three milk processing women practicing their trade around Kassela small dairy plant, 40 km from Bamako, was conducted in Mali. Questionnaires and focus group interviews were used to assess the women’s adaptation level to the dynamics of change in the local dairy subsector. In response to the creation of a small dairy farm managed by men, they initiated mechanisms of resilience by adding imported dry milk, diversifying the product offer on the markets, and developing consumers’ loyalty. These strategies enabled them to secure their livelihoods in spite of their loss of market shares to the dairy plants. Using local techniques, each woman processed on average 468 liters of milk per day representing one third of the dairy plant production with a ratio benefit/cost greater than 20%. Today, dairy development projects take more and more into account the consequences brought about by innovation.

Keywords

• Produit laitier
• Collecte de lait
• Modernisation
• Rôle des femmes
• Changement social
• Afrique de l’Ouest