Abstract
The study was conducted in Dawa Chefa District, Oromia Zone of the Amhara National regional state. The aim of this study was to characterize production, processing, and handling of cow’s milk. Five Kebeles namely, Gerbi Mesena, Shekila, Teref Gur, Woledi Town and Bedeno Serte were selected purposively based on their potential for milk production and variation in agro-ecology. A total of 90 households were selected from five kebeles and administrations of semi-structured questionnaire on milk, processing, and marketing practice were employed. The local cattle are the major breed used in the study area. The average number of cattle per household is 6 and ranges from 3-27. There are three major milk production systems namely, mixed crop-livestock (98%), peri-urban (1.5) and urban (0.5) milk production system. Mixed crop-livestock production systems were the dominant production system in the study area. The percentages of milking cows are higher in the mixed croplivestock production system than in the urban milk production system. The overall estimated mean value for age at first service, age at first calving, calving interval, number of service per conception for local and crossbred cows were (29 and 27.03 month), (46.16 and 37 months), (25.86 and 21 month) and (1.61 and 1.17), respectively. Milking, processing and marketing are predominantly done by female member of the household. The main feed resources in the District were communal grazing, crop residues and crop aftermath. Natural pasture account for 54% of the feed that was available and green maize stover contributes 10% of the overall feed resources
Highlights
Ethiopia’s increasing human population, urbanization trends and rising household incomes are leading to a substantial increase in the demand for livestock products, milk and meat
Even though smallholder urban dairy production in Dawa Chefa District contributes substantially to fill in the demand–supply gap for milk; there is little information available on production, processing, and handling patterns of milk
The information generated will be valuable for researcher, policy maker, trader consumer and investors in the area of this study and allow improved interventions that stimulate sustainable milk production
Summary
Ethiopia’s increasing human population, urbanization trends and rising household incomes are leading to a substantial increase in the demand for livestock products, milk and meat. In order to meet the growing demand for milk in Ethiopia, milk production has to grow at least at a rate of 4 percent per annum [1]. Even though smallholder urban dairy production in Dawa Chefa District contributes substantially to fill in the demand–supply gap for milk; there is little information available on production, processing, and handling patterns of milk. The information generated will be valuable for researcher, policy maker, trader consumer and investors in the area of this study and allow improved interventions that stimulate sustainable milk production. The current study aimed to characterize dairy production, processing and Handling in Dawa Chefa district
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
