Survey on Dairy Production, Post-Harvest Handling and Marketing Systems in Kaffa and Sheka Zones

Abstract

The study was conducted in Kaffa and Sheka zones to assess dairy production, processing and marketing system through careful collection and documentation of information on the current practices and challenges of dairy production, processing and marketing systems and recommend possible remedy. Two woredas were selected from each zones based on their dairy production potential. From each woredas two kebeles were selected. From each kebeles 20 households were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire and data was analyzed using SPSS program. Accordingly, the respondents in the study area practiced mixed crop- livestock production systems with dairying used as additional source of income for family.  The major constraints for dairy production and marketing system in the area include shortage of grazing land, lack of improved forage seed and improved dairy breed, diseases, lack of awareness on cattle housing system, limited infrastructure, and poor access to services, lack of dairy producing and marketing cooperative and knowledge gap on improved dairy production, processing and marketing. Informal dairy marketing was the only means of marketing system in the study area. Dairy production, processing and marketing in the studied areas can be improved by supporting smallholder dairy producers through inputs and services related to feed supply, veterinary , AI, land, access to market, awareness creation on housing system, credit, extension and training.\

Keywords: Dairy production, marketing system, postharvest handling