Food safety in milk: Adoption of food safety practices by small-scale dairy farmers in Sri Lanka and their determinants

Abstract

This study assesses the degree of adoption of food safety measures by milk producers in Sri Lanka representing different production systems. The study is based on primary data collected from 500 dairy producers across different milk-producing districts. To assess the intensity of adoption of food safety practices, a Food Safety Index (FSI) was calculated. Taking FSI and the share of practices adopted, the determinants of compliance with food safety practices were assessed using the Multiple Linear Regression model, Ordered Logit model and Seemingly Unrelated Regression Model. Results confirm that the intensity of adoption (IoA) of safety practices by dairy farmers is at a moderate level in Sri Lanka, an average FSI score of 0.54 out of a maximum of 1. IoA moreover varies by production systems. Farmers who managed their farms under intensive systems are comparatively high adopters of food safety practices vis-a-vis farmers under extensive farming systems. Farmers who received training to produce safer milk and farmers who received a subsidy to construct animal sheds were better adopters of safety practices. Importantly, less commercialized farmers with a greater share of home consumption in production were greater adopters of safety practices indicating demand-pull of the markets to be limited in inducing safety of milk. To improve compliance with food safety practices, knowledge gap needs to be bridged through training programs on safer milk production. With additional cost of compliance, there seems to be a need for financial incentives, at least in the short run before markets begin to reward producers adequately for delivery of non-price attributes like food safety.