Milk production up

By John Odyek and Sampaul Nakhaima

Milk production in the country has gone up to 1.8b liters this year from 1.5b liters last year following the improvement in the skills of dairy farmers and management and care of dairy animals.

Government yesterday said from last year to this year over 600 dairy farmers were trained in animal management, business skills and hay making to address dry season feeding challenges.

State minister for agriculture Bright Rwamirama said the Dairy Development Authority together with the ministry of agriculture, animal industry had carried out the training for the farmers.

"The increase in milk production has gone up because of the strategies government has adopted. We would like to see more regions such as the North and East which were affected by war begin producing milk. Those who lost animals during the war were restocked and government is to introduce the heifer project where one heifer will be given to a household for income generation," Rwamirama said.

He was addressing journalists in Kampala to launch a campaign to mark the June Dairy Month. The minister said income received by dairy farmers has increased from sh443b last year to sh479 this year which has boosted their revenues.

The minister urged Ugandans to drink more milk saying it was a source of nutrition. "In Uganda the per capita milk consumption of milk per year stands at 54 liters compared to the 200 liters per capita year recommended by the WHO. Kenya's per capita consumption of milk is 100 liters per year," Rwamirama said.

"Milk transport tankers have increased from 99 to 126 this year. The number of processing plants has increased from 22 to 30. The plants process pasteurized milk, UHT, yogurt and milk powder. Importation of milk products has declined because of the increase in supply and processing. The milk collecting centers have increased from 476 to 628 this year," he said.

He said government was boosting milk production in the country through improving veterinary services, improving animal nutrition, genetic improvement, restocking and heifer distribution to families and households.

Dr Jolly Zaribwende, executive director Dairy Development Authority said babies below one year of age need milk all the time either from breast milk or from cows and goats. "Adults need one glass of milk a day. Milk has calcium and is good for the growth of teeth and bones. Even elderly people need more milk to keep their bones strong," she said.