Participatory Evaluation, Demonstration and Verification of Sisal Foil Wrapped Milk Containers on Quality Parameters of Camel Milk Marketed in Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The research activity was carried out with the objective of evaluating and demonstrating performance of sisal foil wrapped milk containers on enhancing shelf life of the camel milk that was transported long distance at pastoralists’ condition thereby create awareness about the technology. It was carried out for two years (2012/13-2014/15) in Yabello and Moyale Districts of Borana Zone. A total of 24 pastoralists  as well as a research team composed of different disciplines were closely following up the progress of the activity. Regular visits, trainings and exchange visit were organized to create wider awareness and collect feedback from the pastoralists. The result of the study revealed that the camel milk samples transported with sisal foil wrapped milk containers have the lower temperature and microbial load than unwrapped milk containers and stayed negative for both alcohol and clot on boiling test at the terminal milk market, whereas, the unwrapped containers were positive for alcohol test and showed higher temperature and microbial load. In terms of cost, the only differentiating factor was sisal foil wrapping. Even if, sisal foil seems expensive, it compensates through relatively lesser loss, durability and accessibility. According to participants' opinions the technologies are easily manageable, cost effective and are very appropriate for improving the productivity of small scale pastoralists. However, to gain more impact from the technologies in the future, participation of pastoralists, coordination of different disciplines and reaching more target groups at larger scale should be taken as a strategy.

Keywords: Demonstration, participatory evaluation, milk container, camel milk and sisal foil