Dairy farmers lose about 27% of the milk they produce before it reaches the cooling plant, according to a new dairy farmers’ guide on proper hand-milking and hygiene.
The former mobilizer at the RDC’s office in Soroti and Kumi, Mama Teddy Acham milking her cow at her home located in Aji
The guide was launched by Ruth Nankabirwa, the state minister for fisheries, during celebrations to mark June dairy month at the Independence Park in Mbarara.
She represented Bright Rwamirama, the state minister for animal husbandry, at the function held under the theme: “Increasing Milk Production to Match Growing Demand.”
Nankabirwa attributed the 27% loss to poor milking procedures and hygiene plus the poor handling of milk on the farm and during transportation.
She urged farmers to observe proper milking procedures, saying it is critical in the production of high quality milk.
The minister said hygiene leads to less incidences of mastitis, which can be costly to a farmer in terms of treatment costs, reduced milk yields, blocked teats, early culling or even death of the cow.
The guide will help mitigate the challenges experienced by dairy farmers in order to reduce post-harvest losses and increase income.
Bernadette Katureebe, the chairperson of the Diary Development Authority board of directors, said Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate the dairy month, reflecting and recognising that milk and its products present a unique opportunity to improve both nutrition and income.
“The Diary Development Authority plays a very important role in the lives of over 1.7 million Ugandans either as a source of food, income or employment,” she said.
Katureebe added that the dairy sub-sector contributes to the national economy, with an annual increase in milk production from 1.8 billion litres to 1.86 billion litres for the period between June 2012 and June 2013.
By Fred Turyakira, The New Vision
