‘Dairy sector development needs to change from incremental to transformational,’ Ministry
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) said even if Ethiopia’s dairy sector is showing an incremental change at an average rate of 15 percent, the sector still needs more investment in order to fully utilize its potential.
Tariku Teka Dairy Director at the Ministry told The Ethiopian Herald that the Nation has planned to increase cattle milk production by 73 percent until 2020.Tangible incremental changes are registered as the number of milk cattle increases every year.
“Currently, there are over twelve million heads of milk cattle but the population growth made it difficult to meet the domestic milk demand. As a result the development of the sector needs to change from incremental to transformational,” stressed Tariku.
He also noted that the Ministry is intensifying efforts to boost cattle health and market chain of dairy products. Dairy cattle breeding strategy and breeding programs are the next steps given priority.
Speaking of challenges in the sector’s production there is a great deal of fodder deficiency exceeding 19 million ton. There has been a big influence on the milk production throughout the country and investing on the sector is a priory agenda.
According to Tariku, if Ethiopia utilizes its potential, with its livestock population being the fifth from the world, it may repeat the Indian white revolution through the implementation of its Growth and Transformation Plans (GTPs).
Fekade Silassie President of the Ethiopian Dairy Producers and Processors Association on his part said that the absence of commercial dairy farms has been dragging the sector back and due attention is not given. He noted commercial dairy farms are very scanty. According to him, there is also shortage of productive high-breed cattle.
Meanwhile Tariku said efforts are being made to address problems related with breeds adding that five high- breed cattle seed factories are established.
Ethiopia will celebrate world milk day on June first 2019 for its third time, according to Tariku.
The Ethiopian Herald May 26/2019
BY HENOK TIBEBU
