The Dairy Development Authority has given a total of four co-operatives, drawn from different parts of the country, 210 milk cans, 10 milk machines, and 100 milk buckets with the aim of fostering clean milk production.
These co-operatives include Shemeza Breeders Urban Farm in Mukono district, Belvik Farm in Buikwe, Gomba Dairy Farmers Co-operative in Gomba, and Kigombya Dairy Farm in Mukono district.
DDA’s acting director, Samson Akankiza, said the equipment distributed to the model farms will be used for demonstration purposes. Therefore, they should ensure all the other farms learn from and emulate their good practices of clean milk production.
For example, he said, for milk machines, the milker does not have to use their hands, which most of the time causes contamination of the milk. This contamination sometimes causes infections and unwanted diseases. The cans also control the transportation of milk in a better way than jerrycans.
He was speaking at the handover ceremony at the Dairy Authority headquarters in Nakasero on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
How does the milk machine work?
Akankiza said before a cow is milked, its udder and teats are cleaned to help it be comfortable and healthy to ensure milk quality.
Dr. Frank Asiimwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the authorities for prioritizing the dairy sector by addressing crucial areas like clean milk production.
“Traditionally, we milk with our hands, which many times causes contamination and exposes those who drink it to infections, but with this machine, it sucks the milk directly from the cow’s teats,” he said.
On a brighter note, Asiimwe added, the cans, which are easier to clean, will replace jerrycans in the transportation of the milk.
