Assessment of Post-Harvest Loss of Milk and Milk Products and Traditional Mitigation Systems in Mekelle Milk Shed, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in purposively selected dairy potential districts located in and around Mekelle milk shed areas to assess traditional production, handling and processing, milk post-harvest loss and its mitigation system in small-scale dairying. Multi stage stratified random sampling method was employed to select locations within districts and households. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 79 milk producers.  The data was analyzed using Statistical Procedures for Social Sciences (SPSS) version20. Milking is mostly done by men (75.9%) where as milk handling (79.5%), processing (88.6%) and marketing (57%) were primarily handled by wives. The majority of respondents (89%) used plastic bucket for milking while clay pot was used for milk fermentation (22.1%). Producers mainly used Acacia etbaica and Olea africana to fumigate milk and milk product containers for improving flavor while others to increase shelf life. The main possible reason for milk spoilage problem was poor milk handling practices in the area (78.7%). The major milk production constraints were feed shortage (57%), unavailability of improved breeds (60.8%), poor veterinary service (38%), poor quality of feeds (57%) and associated low milk yield (38%). Therefore, it is vital to strengthening linkage with extension services in the study areas to enhance input provision, milk production, handling, processing, marketing and consumption.  High yielding improved breeds through improving the current AI delivery system will have paramount importance to boost the current milk production in the area. Enhancing the veterinary services, availability of improved forage, infrastructure and training of different value chain actors on different aspects of milk production is also necessary.  

Keywords: post harvest, handling, milk, production