Assessment of Postharvest Losses of Dairy Products in Dawuro Zone and Konta Special Woreda of SNNPR

Abstract

This study was conducted in Dawuro zone and Konta special woreda of SNNPR to assess the existing dairy cattle production, milk handling, and processing practices. A total of eighty respondents were purposefully selected and interviewed for obtaining general information such as dairy cattle production, milk handling, and processing practices, traditional milk processing equipment through structured questionnaire. Dairy cattle production system, local breeds were more dominant than cross breeds in both study areas. The higher numbers of both breeds were observed in Tocha woreda than that of Konta special woreda. The dairy animal performance assessment shows that the average lactation length and milk yield of local cows were lower than that of crossbred in both study areas. Labor division among family members concerning dairying activities such as milking, milk processing, and milk marketing were dominantly done by women rather than men in both study areas. Commonly and widely used for milk handling traditional utensils in the study areas were calabash and plastic materials. Few dairy farmers were using a small clay pot for milking purpose. Milk processing methods are a predominantly traditional type, and they use traditional milk processing materials. So, farmers in both study areas are highly encouraged in for cross bred. Further work should be done in improved milk processing materials in both study areas.