Some aspects of the periurban dairy system in Cameroon

Abstract

A survey to establish baseline data for future intervention in milk and dairy production in the peri‐urban areas of Garoua, Maroua and Bamenda was carried out. Dairy products are still produced in a traditional way in areas around Maroua and Garoua with milk from native zebu cattle (Red and White Fulani breeds). The important dairy products are pendidam and kindirmu, both of which are fermented milks. Naturally sour milk was found occasionally. Around Bamenda, milk is produced by herds comprising pure Holsteins, Jerseys and their crosses with local zebu cows; cross‐breeding is being intensified to increase rapidly the size of the dairy herds. Appreciable volumes of milk are produced daily, so allowing the industrial processing of fresh milk into pasteurized milk, yogurt and cheese. The potential for expansion of the dairy industry, and the possible constraints, were identified and solutions proposed.