Milk Production and Marketing in Ghana: The Case of Accra Plains

Abstract

The study was carried to determine fresh milk production and marketing practices of herdsmen (N=150) within Accra plains of Ghana. They were interviewed in the area concerning their production and marketing practices.  Milk production was seen as a major income earner for the herdsman and his family in Ghana. Majority (53 %) of the active labor force involved in milking were below the ages of 30 years, of this group 22% are between the ages of 7 and 12. Only twenty percent (20%) received formal training on good quality milk handing. Majority of the milk produced is either sold fresh or processed initially into cheese “wagashi”. 98 percent of the respondents do not tie the hind legs of the cow before milking.  Actual milking is done in the kraal, which is unhygienic. The main source of water for washing the utensils used for milking is well water.  Fresh milk and other products are marketed in the area using three channels thus itinerant assemblers, processor and retailers; they operate mainly within the primary and secondary market centers. From the findings fresh milk production and marketing is done informally using a host of intermediaries.

Keywords: Accra plains ,  fresh milk, Herdsmen,  marketing, wagashi