In this weekend's NY Times Magazine, Andrew Rice has told a "cautionary tale of well-intentioned development." The subject is Uganda, and its beloved Ankole cow, whose existence is coming under threat by breeds imported from the west.

For centuries the nomadic people of Uganda have lived closely with the Ankole in a "tight symbiotic embrace." This beautiful longhorn holds a cherished place in the hearts and minds of all Ugandans. The cow is part of the living landscape of Uganda.

The Ankole has developed into a hardy breed in order to survive the difficult climate in Uganda. One Ankole can produce about 1/2 gallon of milk per day. A Holstein cow, common in the US and Europe, is less hardy, but can produce up to 6 gallons per day.

Apparently it has become possible to import Holsteins into Uganda. Even though these cows are much less suited to the environment, and require more medicine and care, their milk producing capacity presents an economic opportunity to local farmers that possibly justifies these extra cost. The result? Many farmers are incorporating Holsteins into their herds.

When I read this article, I wondered to myself at the possibility of increasing he milk production of Uganda 12-fold, which would happen if each Ankole were replaced with a Holstein. What would the people of Uganda do with all that milk?

The article points out that there have been some problems with just this issue - there is not an adequate infrastructure to transport and store the milk, so much of it spoils. It also mentions that "international organizations realize that increased productivity means little if it’s not accompanied by market growth", so USAID is spending a lot of money promoting milk among Africans.

Apparently the marketing program has not been a huge success. According to a USAID spokesman, “a lot of consumers don’t understand how important milk is.”

Its a familiar story. "Poor" people trade cultural riches for "economic benefits." It seems inexorable but tragic. We know it because we have lived it ourselves. We've chosen cheap, mass-produced, imported and disposable over goods made by local craftsmen. Sure, our craftsmen are gone, but look how we have benefited, right?

So, Ugandans, I read the story about your Ankore, and I wish that you would keep that beautiful cow, and forget the Holsteins. However, because I am a westerner, and have sacrificed my own Ankores, I cannot reasonably ask you to do the same. I cannot ask you to do what I myself have not done.

These days, there are lots of stories like this one. Perhaps one day all the old things cherished by people will be gone, and then all these stories will be gone too. But that's another story.