Special efforts are being made in Oromia region to boost milk production in the 2018 budget year. In the first three months, 1.5 billion liters of milk were produced, with a target of 4.8 billion liters for the full year.
Addis Ababa, Hidar 4, 2018 (FMC) – The head of the Oromia region's agriculture bureau and animal sector head, Ato Tolera Debela, told Fana Digital that special attention is being given in the budget year to increase milk production and productivity.
"By implementing feed shortages and other new initiatives in the sector, encouraging results are being registered," said Ato Tolera. In the region, 1.5 billion liters of milk were produced in the first three months of budget year 2018. Improved cow breeds can be introduced through regular culling and other methods to enhance milk productivity, he noted.
The plan is to produce 4.8 billion liters of milk for the budget year, with 1.5 billion liters already produced in the quarter. Efforts are being made in close collaboration with stakeholders to address challenges in the region's milk production market. A committee has been formed to organize the sector's market system and protect legal traders through special quotas.
Work is underway extensively to preserve the value chain so that milk and dairy products reach the market without passing through the informal route. Guidelines have been issued for milk production to be collected in small, low-cost, or community-organized sheds and supplied to factories.