It is paradoxical to hear about milk shortage in a country endowed with multimillions of cattle population. Central Statistical Agency 2016/17 figures show the vast number of cattle population in Ethiopia, with 59.4 million heads of cattle and 2.17 million heads of camel, not to mention a 30.1 million heads of goat.
The problem seems to lie at the doorstep of experts and institutions tasked to boost milk production nationally. According to the Ethiopian Livestock Master Plan (2015/16-2019/20), the government plans to raise total cattle milk production to 7,967 million liter by 2020 through genetics, feed and health interventions to improve traditional family cow dairy production and expand and improve specialized dairy production units.
Tariku Teka, Milk Resource Development Directorate Director at Ministry of Agriculture, told The Ethiopian Herald that the country’s milk production declined in 2016/17 due to El Nino induced drought of 2015/16. Due to the works accomplished so far, and the favorable climate in 2017/18, the country’s total milk production researched 6.44 billion liter, he said.
Studies conducted by Ethiopian Milk Processors Industry Association (EMPIA) show only 50 percent of potentials are in use. And also, many processors are not employing their full potential. As shown in the master plan, challenges contributing to low yield of milk include genetic potential, animal health services, marketing and processing issue.
Feed related challenges are: limited access to land for production of forage seed and forage; inadequate and poor access to quality forage seed and cuttings; and forage constrained by poor extension and training.Genetic potential related challenges are: inefficient artificial insemination services; and low productivity of local breeds and a low number of improved genotypes.
Animal health services challenges include: very high calf mortality; insufficient animal health extension advice; inefficient animal health services; inadequate supply of drugs; poor quality control of drugs and supplies; and lack of a bio-security system in place, as the master plan.
Marketing and processing challenges are: seasonal demand fluctuations leading to inconsistencies in milk supply and processing; lack of milk quality and grading standards, and enforcement mechanisms; and an absence of quality-based pricing incentives.
EMPIA President Dr. Tafese Mesfin says, “The major problem in the sector is market instability. Cultural issues also affect the market, the demand for dairy products decline during fasting period for instance. And alternative market could help to compensate producers during such period, he added.
But to Dr. Gebregziabher Gebreyohannes, State Minister for Livestock Development Sector at the Ministry of Agriculture, told to The Ethiopian Herald that the major constraint originated from lack of breeding policy. And he said the country has breeding policy which is already approved. Based on this, genetic improvement directives were set.
Traditionally, our cattle are used for husbandry as well. Their milk production is very low. We have to improve these species. But, it needs more time, he said. Currently, in our country, there is no enough improved species as needed. Artificial insemination services are inefficient throughout the country, according to him.
Dr. Hamid Jemal, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region Livestock Bureau Head stated to The Ethiopian Herald that on average of 1.2 million liter of milk is produced in the region.
According to him, the sector has faced shortage of inputs for genetic improvement works. But, several measures have been taken to improve milk production. The coverage of improved genetics is transformed from very low, few years ago, to 5 percent at currently. Averages of 250,000 cattle are artificially inseminated annually and 100, 000 calves are born per year.
The Ethiopian Herald, June 14/2019
BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
