Ephraim’s Story: Palabana on the Move

Ephraim Bindewinda is a member of the Palabana Dairy Cooperative (Palabana) and Secretary of the Milk Collection Centers from Zambia’s Eastern Province. To reach the Palabana’s milk collection facility, co-op members travel 2 to 17 km over rough, mostly unpaved roads, ideally twice per day.

Prior to WBR and Palabana’s partnering with Buffalo Bicycles, the dairy farmers milk was carried by hand or wheelbarrow to the milk collection center. where the chiller is located before being transported to homogenization centers. “Before the bicycles, my farm hands walked the milk in a wheelbarrow for over an hour. There was 30% failure getting the milk to the co-op before spoilage due to heat and timing. Some afternoons we weren’t able to make delivery at all. Today, with the coming of the bikes,100% success!” exclaimed farm owner, Ephraim Bindewinda.

Ephraim and his farm hands Kenneth and Witness milk the 20 cows twice per day, getting about 75-100 liters of milk in the morning and 60-75 liters in the afternoon. The majority of Palabana members own fewer than 20 cows. Most, in fact, own between 5 and 10, making Ephraim’s milk output quite significant. The Buffalo Bicycle’s large rear-capacity rack and sturdy frame enable farmers to transport more milk than they could on foot or by wheelbarrow. Cycling is a good 4-5x’s faster than walking,. These two factors keeps Ephraims’ milk fresh for the duration of the trip and enables him to carry more 40 liter cans. Less spoilage equals less waste, more money for Ephraim’s farm, and higher yield for Palabana.

Ephraim’s output increased substantially. and diligent business acumen has even inspired his neighbor Inoge, who wants to start having cows and owning a dairy business of her own. “Ephraim is teaching me first hand,” Inoge tells us.  With plans to visit Ephraim again at the Milk Collection Center, Inoge knows that observing his role as Secretary will further inspire her confidence to try it for herself. 

Luke Siwale, another neighbor of Ephraim’s and a fellow dairy farmer, owns 15 cows. For almost two years Luke has used a Buffalo Bicycle, learning from Ephraim. Before this he said, “I had another bicycle brand but these are better because they last. The other one cost much less but only lasted one year. Every few months it needed replacement parts. The Buffalo takes much longer before a repair is needed. By the time we need spare parts, we have already saved. So, this is profit for us!”

From 2011 to 2014, dairy farmers bought 281 Buffalo Bicycles through Palabana’s employee purchase program. Since purchasing their bicycles, dairy farmers have made more deliveries, transported more milk each trip, reduced spoilage and increased income. 95% of farmers say the Buffalo Bicycles have improved their lives. Ephraim now owns 7 Buffalo Bicycles, 5 are for his children to go to school. He has also organized the spare parts program at Palabana MCC, further ensuring all farmers are able to transport their supplies spoil-free. 

“Buffalo Bicycles were a relief to us. We cherish them.”