Opportunities and Constraints of Cow Milk Value Chain: The Case of Laelay Maichew District, Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the key opportunities and constraints of dairy production and marketing on 110 smallholder dairy producers in Laelay Maichew District, Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. Ranking Analysis Index has been applied for this research for the purpose of to identify constraints of milk production and marketing. The milk production and marketing was constrained by various challenges. According to the survey, producers are suffering from lack of marketing, lack of supplementary feed, water scarcity, low breed milk productivity and shortage of grazing land. Despite the numerous challenges the dairy production still remains profitable business for the smallholders.

Keywords: smallholder dairy producers, Ranking Analysis Index, Constraints and Opportunities