Tanzania milk production up 400m ltrs, consumption low

Arusha. Milk production in Tanzania registered an increase of about 400 million litres between 2003 and last year but consumption remains low at only 47 litres per capita per year. Production of the highly nutritious liquid food is currently estimated at 2.4 billion litres a year from about 2 billion litres in 2003.

That is in sharp contrast with the 30.5 million heads of cattle the country has, among other milk producing domestic animals.

Dairy experts maintain the yield is not enough to enable the country achieve a 200 litre per capita consumption of the dairy product a year as recommended by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (Fao).

“Our average consumption rate of 47 litres is even below our neighbours (Kenya) where statistics show each person drinks about 100 litres a year,” said Charles Malunde, the acting chairman of the Tanzania Dairy Board. He said the large herds of livestock Tanzania has been endowed has not helped matters either, due to the poor quality of animals, among others. “The 2.4 billion litres are largely sourced from the 1.5 million dairy cattle with 27 million cows production just a fraction of that,” he said during a media briefing ahead of Livestock Expo 2018 and National Milk Week which kicks off here today.

The Milk Week, which had been organised each year since the 1990s, is being held in Arusha at the national level while this is the first time the Livestock Expo is organised.

The annual event is intended to improve animal husbandary and subsequently increase milk production and consumption of dairy products among the populace.

Mr Malunde said although milk production has significantly increased consumption has generally remained static.

Mr Timothy Mmbaga, the director of Policy and Planning with the Agricultural Council of Tanzania (ACT), said low milk production has impacted negatively on investment in the dairy sector.

“Processing plants need large quantities, a critical mass of milk to enable them operate profitably. The same also applies to poultry and meat sub-sectors,” he said.

He told reporters that over 40 local and foreign firms are expected to take part in the three-day Livestock Expo to be held at the Themi Exhibition grounds.

The event will be graced with a workshop bringing together livestock experts,animal product processors, service providers and other players in the industry.

“Objectives of the Expo and Milk Week are to encourage investments in the livestock sector and, in particular, encourage establishment of industries for value addition of livestock products,” he said.

Source: The Citizen

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