Are Heifer Project International Cows Healthier?
The long term goal of Heifer Project International (HPI) is to improve the socioeconomic level of Tanzanian farmers and to ultimately improve human health. The purpose of this study was to assess the overall health of cows provided to families in the village of Ngejisosia, Tanzania, by HPI, compared to non-HPI cows in that village. Farming efficiency, milk production, disease presence, and parasite load were assessed. Farmers were given questionnaires to evaluate farming efficiency and fecal samples were taken from their cows to assess parasite load. I predicted that farming efficiency, milk production, disease presence, and parasite load would be better on HPI farms, compared to non-HPI farms. Results supported this hypothesis. Overall, HPI farmers thought that their farming techniques were more efficient than non-HPI farmers. I concluded that Heifer Project International Tanzania (HPIT) provided adequate education in animal health and husbandry to its clients in the village of Ngejis
