The huge livestock resources and vast climatic conditions in Ethiopia are prominent roles for dairy development. Milk spoilage is a major problem in the dairy sector in tropical countries. A previous study reported that small scale milk-producing households have been practiced in traditional processing, handling and mitigation system of milk and milk products to control post-harvest milk losses. Hence, there is no traditional processing, handling and mitigation system of milk and milk products have been reported in the Nekemte milk shed of Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess traditional production, handling and mitigation system of milk and milk products in the Nekemte milk shed of Ethiopia. Forty-five (45) milk producers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The average household size was 5.4±0.34. The ranking indices were indicated that the purpose of keeping dairy cattle for milk production 1 , income generation 2 , manure 3 and draft power 4 , respectively. In this study, daily milk yield was st nd rd th determined by breeds, seasons and stage of lactation. The average quantity of daily milk produced per day, consumed per day, processed per week and sold per week were 9.5±2.1, 3.9±2.1, 22.6±7.3 and 78.5±26.3 liters, respectively. The study revealed that the plant materials of Dabaqqaa (Deinbollo kilimandshorica), Ejersaa (Olea africana), Kefoo (Ocimum urticifoliu) and Kusaayee (Ocimum hardienes) were used for fumigation milk and milk products containers to improve flavor and shelf life o f the milk and milk products. These results showed that improved breed (80%), feeds (83%) and diseases (72%) are the major constraints of milk production in the Nekemte milk shed of Ethiopia. From this result, it could be suggested that strengthening linkage with Artificial insemination (AI) services, veterinary services, improved forage, access to cooperative and marketing are improve milk production, handling, consumption and mitigation systems.
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