Dairy Cattle for Youth Groups in Community Conservation Areas

Blue Victoria is proud to support communities in Mara Bay, Lake Victoria, through the distribution of dairy cattle to youth groups within local clans participating in our Community Conservation Area (CCA) initiative. This effort is part of our broader strategy to link environmental conservation with sustainable livelihoods in the Lake Victoria Basin, particularly within the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) where ecosystems and species face increasing threats.

Each youth group received a pregnant dairy cow, ensuring immediate access to milk for household nutrition while also creating a reliable source of income through the sale of surplus milk. This approach strengthens food security and builds economic resilience among young people who have traditionally depended on fishing as their primary livelihood

Training on how to manage cattles

Youth groups also received specialized training on proper dairy cattle management, including feeding, health care, hygiene, and breeding practices. This ensures the cows remain healthy and productive, enabling the youth to sustainably benefit from milk production and income generation.

By introducing dairy farming as an alternative income-generating activity, we are helping to reduce pressure on overexploited fish stocks and discourage unsustainable fishing practices. This is especially important in Mara Bay, where biodiversity—including critically endangered fish species—is under significant threat from overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change. The initiative also promotes community ownership of conservation efforts by actively engaging youth as key agents of change. As young people benefit economically and nutritionally, they are more motivated to protect natural resources and support sustainable practices within their communities.