Experts urge Dairy farmers to join cooperatives

With Uganda’s estimate of milk production in the next five years being ten billion liters annually, experts have recommended that cooperatives be supported, so as to strengthen more capacity for milk production.

Uganda’s milk production is at to 2.5 billion liters in 2017/2018. This represents an annual milk production growth rate of six percent, according to the Uganda Dairy Development Authority.

The Heifer East African Dairy Development Project country manager, Susan Atyang, advises that cooperatives lower the cost of milk production in order to increase the cooperative’s profits.

According to research carried out by the East African Dairy Development Project in 2012, Uganda has the highest cost of milk production within the region. This attributed to cattle mortality, high labor and high purchased feeds amongst others.

Susan Atyang, says dairy farmers need to consider improving health, breeding and proper feeding if they are to increase milk production and productivity.

Joining cooperatives in dairy farming can be a success to farmers across the country, targeting especially the youth by empowering them out of poverty and them acquiring skills.