Last month, Jersey Overseas Aid welcomed representatives from our Dairy for Development partners - Heifer International and the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (RJA&HS) to share how the Jersey cow is changing lives around the globe.
The Jersey cow is more than an iconic symbol of our island but a key part of JOA’s uniquely Jersey international development programmes. Our Dairy for Development (D4D) programme harnesses the expertise, genetics and heritage of the Jersey cow to improve livelihoods across JOA’s target countries.
We were delighted to welcome Sara Peeters from Heifer Netherlands, and Dr Bhola Shrestha from Heifer International Nepal who shared reflections on the organisation’s work, specifically the new JOA-funded “Jersey Valleys” project that launched this July – focused on improving the genetic quality of local cattle through crossbreeding with Jersey genetics to improve milk yields, disease resistance, and lower methane emissions.
Heifer are a leading global actor in the D4D sector, with the “Jersey Valleys” project drawing on their extensive in-country expertise and partner ties. The project also aims to complement their signature “Milky Way” project which is transforming Nepal’s dairy sector more broadly.
Representatives from the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (RJAHS) also reflected on their JOA supported D4D work in Zambia, Malawi and Rwanda, highlighting how Jersey’s funding contributes to transforming lives and improve food security and economic opportunities across the world.
The event’s Q+A discussion also saw our partners dispel a few myths about how the Jersey genetics reach their destinations – be that in Zambia, Malawi or Nepal. It’s not cows on planes – but rather through frozen Jersey bull semen and embryos. These are then used by Artificial Insemination technicians to crossbreed local cattle, producing Jersey-cross cows that carry a combination of the native cow’s hardy resilience, with the Jersey’s valuable genetic traits: improved production of creamier, more nutritious milk, a gentle temperament that is easy to manage, and sustained disease resistance. Along with many other qualities that make Jerseys one of the world’s best dairy breeds.
Through these projects, smallholder farmers can produce much more milk not only to feed their families but also to sell and generate income. Alongside this, farmers are trained in the best ways to care for their cattle and the most efficient and climate-friendly methods for growing fodder to feed them – helping to build more resilient livelihoods.
While in Jersey, representatives from JOA, Heifer International and the RJAHS, engaged with over 500 students across the Island - bringing- bringing their work into the classroom and inspiring the next generation about the importance of overseas aid.
From Trinity to Nepal and many places in between the positive impact of the jersey cow is being felt through improved nutrition, economic opportunities and community resilience.
Our free-to-attend Jersey International Development Network (JIDN) events are an important part of our work as a publicly funded donor, ensuring Islanders can see first-hand how Jersey’s support is transforming lives across the world. To hear about our 2026 JIDN Events, subscribe to JOA’s newsletter and follow us on socials.