#dairy sector in Kenya

[farmerstrend]

Kenya Dairy Board Partners with ILRI to Boost Milk Safety and Quality in Informal Markets

The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have launched a four-year initiative dubbed More Milk: more milk for lives and livelihoods in Kenya that aims at transforming the country’s informal dairy sector, which accounts for about three quarters of the country’s milk supply. L-R: Dr. Fabian Kausche, Deputy Director General Research and Innovation at the…

[adalidda]

Cultivating Change: How Collaborative Partnerships are Transforming Agriculture in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Beyond

Agriculture remains the economic cornerstone for millions in developing nations, yet smallholder farmers grapple with challenges like limited technological access, climate volatility, and market exclusion. Amid these hurdles, innovative partnerships between governments, research institutions, NGOs, and the private sector are driving transformative change. By analyzing success stories from Southeast Asia, Africa, and beyond, this paper distills actionable models that blend cutting-edge research with collaborative frameworks to enhance productivity, sustainability, and equity. In an era of climate crises and population growth, scaling such partnerships is not merely beneficial, it is imperative.

Southeast Asia: Digital Tools and Aquaculture Breakthroughs

Digital Green: Empowering Farmers Through Video Technology

Originating in South Asia and scaling across Africa, Digital Green empowers farmers via localized video content produced by and for rural communities. By training farmers to create videos in local dialects, the initiative ensures culturally relevant guidance on best practices, from pest control to irrigation.

Why It Works:

Local Ownership: Farmers co-design content, fostering trust and relevance.

Cost Efficiency: Low-tech solutions (e.g., battery-operated projectors) enable scalability in remote areas.

Visual Learning: Simplifies complex techniques, bypassing literacy barriers.

Impact: Over 1.5 million farmers reached, with adopters reporting 10–30% yield increases (Digital Green, 2023).

Vietnam’s Shrimp Farming Revolution

Vietnam’s shrimp sector exemplifies sustainable aquaculture through tripartite collaboration among researchers, businesses, and policymakers. Innovations include disease-resistant shrimp breeds, eco-friendly feed, and recirculating water systems, reducing environmental harm while boosting yields.

Key Success Factors:

R&D-Industry Synergy: Research institutions like Can Tho University partner with companies to pilot solutions.

Risk Mitigation: Public-private cost-sharing accelerates tech adoption.

Global Adaptability: Models replicated in Bangladesh and Nigeria.

Outcome: Vietnam’s shrimp exports surged to $4.2 billion in 2022, with a 30% reduction in disease-related losses (Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters, 2023).

Africa: Cassava Innovation and Digital Marketplaces

West Africa’s Cassava Renaissance

Led by the IITA, initiatives in Nigeria and Ghana have revitalized cassava production through drought-tolerant varieties and strengthened value chains. Farmer cooperatives link to processing hubs, reducing post-harvest losses and connecting growers to regional markets.

Drivers of Success:

Climate-Resilient Crops: Varieties like TMS30572 resist pests and thrive in low rainfall.

End-to-End Support: Extension agents provide training, while partnerships with agro-processors ensure market access.

Economic Uplift: Yields increased by 40% in project areas, lifting incomes by 25% (IITA, 2022).

Kenya’s M-Farm: Bridging the Digital Divide

M-Farm’s mobile platform connects 15,000+ farmers to buyers, offering real-time pricing data and bulk sales opportunities. By eliminating middlemen, farmers now retain 70% more revenue.

Why It Works:

Mobile Penetration: 90% of Kenyan households own a phone, enabling rapid adoption.

Data Democratization: Farmers track trends to align planting cycles with demand.

Women’s Empowerment: 60% of M-Farm users are women, enhancing gender equity.

Global Models: Cooperatives and Agro-Industrial Integration

India’s White Revolution: The Power of Cooperatives

Operation Flood transformed India into the world’s largest dairy producer via a network of 15 million farmer-members. Cooperatives like Amul streamlined milk collection, processing, and marketing, ensuring fair prices and reinvestment in rural communities.

Lessons:

Collective Ownership: Cooperatives retain profits locally, funding schools and infrastructure.

Tech Integration: AI-driven quality checks reduced spoilage by 20%.

Brazil’s Soybean and Sugarcane Innovations

Brazil’s agribusiness giants’ partner with EMBRAPA (agricultural research agency) to pioneer climate-smart crops and precision farming. Soybean yields doubled since 1990, while sugarcane ethanol meets 45% of national fuel demand.

Success Factors:

Research Commercialization: EMBRAPA licenses 100+ technologies annually to private firms.

Sustainability Mandates: Zero-deforestation policies in the Amazon coupled with crop intensification.

Strategies to Scale Success

Build Regional Innovation Hubs Create centers where academia, governments, and businesses co-develop solutions tailored to local ecosystems (e.g., Nigeria’s Tech Hubs fostering agri-tech startups).

Incentivize Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships Offer tax breaks or grants for PPPs, as seen in Kenya’s M-Farm subsidies.

Invest in Digital Infrastructure Expand rural internet access to replicate models like Digital Green and M-Farm.

Align Policy with Innovation Streamline regulations for GM crops or drone usage, as Vietnam did for aquaculture tech.

Prioritize Farmer Training Deploy mobile academies (e.g., India’s Kisan Rath app) for continuous skill-building.

Conclusion

From Vietnam’s shrimp farms to Kenya’s digital marketplaces, collaborative partnerships are redefining agriculture. These models prove that combining local knowledge with global innovation can overcome systemic barriers. To replicate success, developing nations must prioritize inclusive policies, invest in scalable tech, and foster ecosystems where farmers, researchers, and businesses thrive together. The future of agriculture lies not in isolated efforts but in collective, adaptive resilience.

[mrunalijadhav]

Macadamia Market Trends: Innovations and Consumer Demands Driving Global Growth and Premium Products

The macadamia market has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with increasing demand fueled by its health benefits and versatility. A premium product, macadamias are in high demand across various sectors, from the food and beverage industry to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The market dynamics are shaped by factors like changing consumer preferences, the rise of plant-based products, and innovations in production and distribution.

Growth in Global Demand

The global demand for macadamia nuts has surged, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia. Increasing awareness of their health benefits, such as high levels of healthy fats, antioxidants, and fiber, has driven their consumption. As consumers move toward healthier snacking options, macadamia nuts have positioned themselves as a nutritious alternative to traditional snack foods. The nut's rich flavor and versatile uses in recipes, ranging from confectionery to savory dishes, contribute to its widespread appeal.

Supply Chain and Production Challenges

Despite the strong demand, the macadamia market faces significant challenges related to supply chain and production. Macadamias are mainly grown in regions with specific climate conditions, such as Australia, South Africa, and Kenya. Weather-related issues, such as droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns, can negatively impact crop yields. Moreover, the long maturation period for macadamia trees means that any adverse conditions can lead to reduced harvests and higher prices. These challenges are prompting the industry to explore more sustainable farming practices and crop diversification strategies to ensure consistent supply.

Innovations in Macadamia-Based Products

Another driving factor behind the macadamia market’s growth is the continuous innovation in macadamia-based products. Food manufacturers are increasingly incorporating macadamia nuts into a wide array of products, such as plant-based dairy alternatives, snack bars, and even desserts. This is particularly evident in the growing popularity of macadamia milk as a plant-based alternative to traditional dairy. The nut's creamy texture and mild flavor make it an ideal choice for milk substitutes and other plant-based products.

In addition to food products, macadamia nuts are finding their way into the cosmetics industry, where they are prized for their moisturizing and anti-aging properties. The oil extracted from macadamias is used in a variety of beauty products, including lotions, shampoos, and facial creams. These innovations highlight the nut's potential in diverse markets beyond food.

Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important factor in consumer purchasing decisions, macadamia producers are focusing on ethical sourcing and environmentally friendly practices. Certifications such as Fair Trade and Organic are gaining traction in the industry, as consumers demand transparency about the origin of their products. Ethical sourcing ensures that the labor conditions of workers involved in the cultivation of macadamias are fair, while sustainable farming practices help preserve the environment.

Many producers are also investing in technology to reduce their carbon footprint, from efficient irrigation systems to waste management solutions. These efforts aim to not only meet the growing demand for macadamias but also address the environmental challenges posed by their production.

Macadamia Market Opportunities in Emerging Regions

While North America and Europe are established markets for macadamia nuts, emerging economies, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, present significant growth opportunities. The rising disposable incomes, coupled with increasing health awareness, are driving demand for premium food products, including macadamia nuts. Additionally, urbanization and the growing middle class in these regions are contributing to changes in dietary habits, with consumers opting for healthier, plant-based snacks.

The macadamia market in these regions is also benefitting from increased accessibility to the nuts through global retail chains and online platforms. This trend is expected to continue as producers expand their reach and marketing efforts to cater to the tastes of a more diverse consumer base.

Conclusion

The macadamia market is positioned for sustained growth, driven by factors such as health trends, product innovations, and consumer demand for sustainability. However, challenges related to climate conditions, supply chain disruptions, and rising production costs require attention. Producers who can balance demand with sustainable practices while leveraging new product innovations will be well-placed to capitalize on this lucrative market in the years to come.

[nichromeafricapackagingmachine]

Preserving Purity: Nichrome's Milk Packing Machines Nurturing Growth in African Dairy Industry

In the heart of Africa, where the sun-kissed savannas meet bustling cities, a revolution is quietly unfolding in the dairy industry. At the forefront of this transformation are the ingenious milk packaging machines by Nichrome, seamlessly blending technology and tradition to ensure the freshest milk reaches every corner of the continent.

In the rolling hills of Kenya, where the Maasai's cattle graze under the vast African sky, the significance of milk is deeply ingrained in the culture. Enter the stage, the milk packaging machine in Kenya, a silent hero empowering local dairy farmers to share the goodness of their produce with the world.

Advantages of having Nichrome’s milk packing machines for Dairy Industry

Preservation of Freshness:

Nichrome's milk filling machines are designed with a primary focus on preserving the freshness of milk. Advanced technology ensures that each package seals in the natural goodness, extending the shelf life and maintaining the quality of the dairy product.

Precision and Efficiency:

The precision engineered into Nichrome's milk pouch packaging machines guarantees an efficient and accurate packaging process. From the milk filling machine to the VFFS packaging machine, every component works seamlessly to minimize wastage, enhance productivity, and optimize resources.

Versatility in Packaging Formats:

Nichrome understands the diverse needs of the dairy industry. Our milk packaging machines offer versatility in packaging formats, accommodating various sizes and types of milk containers, from pouches to bottles. This adaptability is crucial for meeting market demands and consumer preferences.

Automation for Increased Productivity:

Embracing automation, Nichrome's machines significantly increase productivity and reduce operational costs. The integration of smart technology not only streamlines the packaging process but also minimizes the risk of errors, ensuring consistency and reliability in every package.

Reduced Downtime and Maintenance:

Nichrome's dedication to reliability extends to the durability of their machines. With robust construction and advanced engineering, these milk packaging machines are built to withstand the rigors of continuous operation, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.

Vertical Form Fill Seal Machines by Nichrome

In the realm of innovative packaging solutions, Nichrome's Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) technology emerges as a meaningful change, redefining efficiency, versatility, and reliability in the packaging industry.

Filpack CMD ALPHA

FILPACK CMD Alpha is another efficient packaging solution for milk and other liquids. Built shorter than conventional machines, it also occupies less floor space as no side opening is required. The impulse seal system is controlled through solid state control technology, and there is a specially designed film roll unwinding mechanism for smooth bag pulling.

FILPACK CMD Alpha offers twin heads so you can pack two different products at the same time. You can even conduct maintenance on one track while the other is in operation.

Filpack Servo 12K

This machine is the fastest milk pouch packaging machine, with a speed of 12,000 packs/hour. It can pack CSPP pouches of 200 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml with equal ease and accuracy. FILPACK SERVO 12K is a heavy duty machine with simple maintenance-friendly construction. It is built for hygiene with product contact parts of stainless steel and a UV film sterilisation system for the packaging material.

Independent balance tanks offer flexibility to manage single or different products simultaneously.

Conclusion:

The future is bright for Africa's dairy sector, with the milk packaging machine in Kenya and beyond playing a pivotal role. Nichrome's continuous innovation ensures that the freshness of Africa's milk becomes a global standard, fostering a legacy that transcends borders.

In conclusion, as Africa's dairy industry evolves, Nichrome's milk packaging machines emerge as catalysts for positive change. They are not just machines; they are enablers of dreams, custodians of purity, and architects of a future where every sip of milk tells a story of growth and prosperity.

[jimitjain]

Higher Quality Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings Suppliers in India

Western Steel Agency is one of the Higher Quality Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings Suppliers in India.  Stainless Steel Fittings that meet ASME, EN, ISO, and DIN standards are available from us.

Exports are our area of specialty! and to meet the particular requirements of our clients, we have access to a variety of hard-to-find stainless steel pipes.for applications including chemical processing, the dairy sector, oil & gas pipelines, rigs, shipbuilding, etc. Our Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings are perfect.Our stainless steel pipe fittings are set up in highly corrosive conditions.

Along with SS Pipe We are, 

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We are global Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings Suppliers and offer a wide variety of these products.

Visit: wsaindia.net

Source: Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings Manufacturers in India

[ajosoph]

What do you Want a CANDIDATE or a JOB?

Job or a Candidate? What do you want?  Definitely, this sounds weird. But yes what do u want a candidate or a job? Because we have both. AJEETS provides both. Yes, AJEETS helps by recruiting the best skilled and unskilled workforce to various companies abroad and also guides and helps the candidates in shaping a bright career. 

AJEETS is a manpower recruitment agency in India that recruits skilled and unskilled human resources from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Uganda. AJEETS is in this business for the last 16 years and is one of the most reliable and dependable agencies. AJEETS has its own experts who have a good experience in different industries. Our experts also guide the candidates. 

As the leading manpower recruitment agency in India, we are proud of our knowledge in e-staffing solutions, job placements, employment help, and recruitment. One of the most important parts of any company or business is its human resources, and we handle this for many foreign businesses, particularly those in the Gulf nations.

In order to maintain industry competition, AJEETS, a manpower recruitment agency in India, adheres to the principle that it is our goal to provide meaningful solutions for both individuals and businesses. By bringing together individuals from around the globe, our services will assist firms in succeeding in a setting that is changing quickly. Every year, we guarantee potential candidates a position where they are deserving of it and promise businesses solutions that meet their needs.

After a fruitful 16-year journey, the public today recognizes our manpower recruitment agency in India as a capable, trustworthy, and all-inclusive Indian recruitment firm. Having started with a few industries, we now provide services to a wide range of sectors, including; Construction, Steel, Infrastructure, Oil and Gas, Hospitality, Medicine, railways, Marine, IT, Electrical and Electronics, Dairy Farm, Logistics, Automotive, Chemicals and Pharmacy, and many other industries. Following the selection of a candidate, we have an orientation or introduction program where he is made aware of important topics including the work culture of the respective organization, industrial practices, safety concerns, labor laws, and other pertinent issues. We constantly refresh our database to provide you with the best job opportunities. 

Our commitment to going above and beyond to provide the best solutions to our clients has been the cornerstone of our long-standing reputation. The standards set by our applicants and clients have always been met by AJEETS. We assist applicants with their migration from one country to another in addition to simply recruiting them. When they migrate, we assist them in obtaining their visas and other necessities. Without a doubt, AJEETS succeeds in being the best manpower recruitment agency in India. 

We take a unique approach to staffing as an all-inclusive manpower recruitment agency in India. With this process, we stand out because we guarantee success for both job seekers and companies. We make an effort to comprehend the businesses' lists of both temporary and long-term requirements before attempting to match them up with our list of available applicants' skill sets. Our process achieves exceptional results while serving as a link between the two parties. 

As a committed personnel agency in India, AJEETS believes in maximizing human potential to pave the way for successful careers. We help applicants find jobs at the greatest organizations on the globe as a manpower company by supporting their goals and dreams. At the same time, we observe that multinational corporations' temporary and permanent openings attract applicants who can advance their companies' operations. Our services are offered all over the world with an emphasis on countries like Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman in the Middle East; and Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Maldives, South Korea, Indonesia, and China in the Far East Countries and the UK, Germany, Poland, Romania, Serbia in the Europe Continent. Make us your long-term recruitment partner with a presence in India today!

[juniperpublishers-sciences]

Risk Factors and Indicators of Reduced Welfare of Grazing Dairy Cows from Selected Smallholder Dairy Farms in Midlands Province-Juniper Publishers

Abstract

Zimbabwe ́s smallholder dairying faces many challenges that affect the welfare of dairy cows; however the status of this welfare has not yet been determined. A cross sectional study was conducted in Midlands Province on 41 active smallholder dairy farms with 86 cows in winter and summer, to determine the risk factors and indicators to impaired cow welfare. These objectives were achieved using farmer questionnaires and direct observations. 11% of the observed cows were severely lame in summer while only five % were severely lame in winter. Lameness was significantly associated with season, absence of shade, breed and low dipping frequency; 58% of the cows had low body condition scores (BC<3) and this low BC was associated with low frequency of protein (p=0.002) and vitamin (p=0.012) supplementation recorded in more than 52% of the farms visited. In winter only 11% of the observed cows were heavily soiled (score 3), whilst in summer 64% of the cows were heavily soiled and this was associated with slurry accumulation in more than 80% of the observed cattle pens as well as the study season (p<0.001). A quarter (26%) of the studied animals had visible teat lesions on the teat skin and this was associated with type of lubricant used (p =0.011). Only 34% of the cows allowed an approaching stockman to touch them and this was associated with shouting (p=0.012) and whipping of cows (p=0.002). The study concluded that welfare of dairy cows was poor in most of the smallholder dairy farms studied.

Keywords:   Risk factors; Indicators; Cow welfare

    Introduction

Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is an integral membrane protein found in the purple membrane of the Halobacterium halobium. As a light driven proton pump, bRs capture photons in the order of 500nm-650nm. Existing research found that 300mv of electricity generated per purple membrane [1]. Conversely, bacterial reaction center (bRC) is found in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. It generates 800mv of electricity in total, considering the transfer of 4 protons in the membrane. Multiple interventions to denature and modulate the structure of bR should be considered, including pH, temperature, detergent and wavelength of laser light. Bacteriorhodopsin has been known to function between0C to 45C at a pH of 1-11. It tolerates temperature over 80C in water and up to 140C in dry [2]. Conventionally, laser is utilized to precipitate the photoisomerization of bR, consequently shifting all trans-13 to structure. The chromophore which is covalently attached to Lys216 through a Schiff base is modulated through this method. Bacterial Reaction Center (bRC) is a light driven electron transfer reaction that converts solar energy to chemical energy. bRC are integral membrane structured proteins found in the purple membrane of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. It is composed of 3 protein subunits--L, M and H. It has 3 major co-factors composed of 4bacterio-chlorophylls, 2 bacteriopheophytins and 2 quinones [3]. In this interaction, electron transfer occurs through light ejection of electron that passes through them embrane. Conversion of sunlight to chemical energy simultaneously precipitates. Both bR and bRC from Halobacterium halobium and Rhodobacter sphaeroides respectively generate a considerable worth of electricity that can be used in the industry today. Although bRC emits power in a rather limited merit, future research would determine its potential for catalyzing electrically reliant applications such as optics, instrumentation and therapeutic values. bRC can be utilized for solar energy and drive photovoltaic cells. Its usage is ubiquitous at this point and has generated multitude of photovoltaic and solar energy driven applications. Further research will enhance the efficacy of bRC generated solar cells and related interventions.

This high stocking rate has resulted in overgrazing and consequently increased erosion and grass stunting in most Zimbabwean rangelands. Knap sac spraying is used for tick control of the dairy herd; vaccination for Foot and Mouth disease as well as rabies is done by the Government, while vaccination and control of other prevalent diseases like Lumpy Skin Disease, black leg and brucellosis is done by farmers. Studies done in Kenya on the welfare of zero grazing dairy cows showed that poor welfare of dairy cows existed in smallholder dairies [1].

Zimbabwe’s smallholder dairy is also characterized by challenges such as high prices of protein rich commercial concentrates which results in inadequate and inconsistent protein supplementation to dairy cows; frequent outbreaks of diseases [2]; poor husbandry practices and lack of high yielding exotic breeds. These challenges to smallholder dairy systems, results in lowered body condition, which then impacts negatively on cow health, productivity and consequently welfare of the cow. Welfare of grazing cows in both the small holder set up and large-scale dairies in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole has not been adequately studied and with the growing concern on food quality and safety from consumers, there is compelling need to evaluate welfare of cows in these sectors. Improved cow welfare will not only improve productivity of the dairy cow but the whole milk supply chain will benefit, hence the importance and relevance of this study.

    Materials and Methods

The research was conducted in two selected districts of Midlands Province (Gweru and Gokwe South) targeting active smallholder dairy farmers. Midlands is characterized by colddry winters (5 to12 °C, 0 to 20mm) and hot humid summers (25 °C to 30 °C, 500mm to 700mm). Mature dairy cows (Red Dane, Jersey, and Holstein mainly crossed with either Tuli or Mashona) from each selected household were examined for the study regardless of their lactation status. In those smallholder units that had less than 5 cows; all cows were used for the study whilst in those units that had more than 5 cows, simple random sampling was used to select 5 cows to be used for the study. Each household was then visited once in winter i.e. from 3 August 2015 to 29 September 2015; and once in summer i.e. from 23 December 2016 to 17 February 2017 to determine the indicators and risk factors to reduced cow welfare using a questionnaire administered through face to face interviews and an animal as well as farm observation tool. All the farmers in Midlands Province who were actively supplying milk to the milk collection center or producing milk for sale (organized smallholder dairies) were included in the study i.e. 35 households from Gokwe South (70 cows) and 6 households from Gweru (16 cows).

Questionnaire

Data collected using the questionnaire included: Household (HH) demographics; level of education for HH; agriculture training received by HH; number of people staying at the HH; dairy herd demographics; institutional support; number, structure and breeds; general husbandry and milking practices; dehorning, castration, hair tail; euthanization methods; udder hygiene; teat lubricants; feeding and watering of animals; energy, protein, vitamin and mineral supplementation frequency; source and distance of water source.

Animal observation tool

Lameness- measured when the cow was either going in or out of the milking parlour using the lameness score sheet during both winter and summer. Lameness was measured on a 4 point scale of 0-3 with 0 indicating good mobility and 3 the animal will be severely lame [3].

Cow cleanliness

This was assessed in winter and summer on similar cows by the investigator early in the morning before cows were released for grazing using a cow cleanliness score chart

Body condition

Scored by the investigator on a scale of one to five during feeding times using a body condition score chart during both summer and winter and on similar cows

Hair loss

Recorded in both winter and summer on a scale of one – three using the hair loss score chart

Teat and hind limb lesions

Teat lesions scored in both winter and in summer as either present or absent

Skin and hind limb lesions

Scored as either present or absent. Skin lesions scored once in winter as either present or absent.

Aggressive interactions between cows

Coded as either frequent or not frequent and were observed during feeding times in winter only for at least 10 minutes per each smallholder unit visited

Avoidance distance

Each cow was assessed once in winter during the study period. Avoidance distance was categorized into cows that could be touched, cows that could be approached 50cm but not touched, cows that could be approached as closely as 50 -100cm, and cows that could not approached as closely as 100cm [4].

Farm observation tool

Site and material used for kraal construction; state of kraal floors, presence of shade, foot bath and handling facilities

Data analysis and presentation

Data was entered and cleaned in Microsoft Excel and then exported into IBM Statistics SPSS version 23. Basic descriptive statistics were generated followed by tests association (chi square tests of independence) between risk factors and indicators of reduced cow welfare.

    Results and Discussion

A total of 36 households owning 86 cattle were interviewed from Gweru and Gokwe South districts of Midlands Province, Zimbabwe..

    Lameness

In the dairy sector, lameness is considered an endemic disease that affects health and welfare of dairy cattle and results in production loss [5]. Figure 1 shows percentage lameness scores by season while Table 1 shows factors significantly associated with lameness. Study results revealed that more cattle were lame in summer than in winter. The overall low proportion of lame cows in the study (5% winter and 11% summer) may be attributable to the disease resistant cross breeds that dominate the smallholder dairy sector in Zimbabwe and the fact that the studied cows were not confined but had free access to pasture giving them adequate opportunity to exercise thereby improving claw conformation [6].

These findings were in concordance with the work of other authors [7], who reported herd lameness for grazing cows to be 3.5% in Ethiopia. The association between lameness and absence of shade (p<0.001) on most dairy farms may be attributable to the fact that the presence of shade enhances passive ventilation and lowers body temperature and thus reduce restless behavior, and increases the time spent resting by cows thereby reducing the chances of lamenes. The association between moderate lameness cases and low dipping frequency has not yet been reported and may be attributed to ineffective tick control that promotes the spread of ticks in cattle and dip resistance to ticks. Bond legged ticks were noticed between the claws in some of the lame cows and this resulted in poor gait in some of the infested dairy cows. Holstein crosses had higher locomotion score compared to their counterparts (Red Dane* Tuli crosses and the Jersey crosses). The Red Dane* Tuli cross showed higher lameness resistance compared to the other two breeds and had low locomotion scores; this has been previously recorded [8].

The observation that slurry and cattle manure was not removed from cattle housing on a regular basis in 73% of the observed farms, implies that animal welfare is poor among most smallholder dairy farms. The association between lameness and season was expected and is in concordance with the work by other authors [9]. Most kraals were wet and muddy in summer. Moisture and slurry softens and damages the claw resulting in lameness. The observed foot lameness scores of three were in most cases, a result of direct trauma to the foot most likely by sharp objects like rough edges of toughs and stone bruises (Table 1). There was no significant association between levels of education of the household head as well institutional support farmers received and occurrence of lame cows in studied households (Figure 1).

Cow cleanliness Study results revealed that there were more heavily soiled cows (score 3) during the rain summer season (P<0.001) compared to the dry winter season (Figure 2). Significant association tests were conducted between cow cleanliness and the following factors: Lameness, body condition score, and slurry accumulation in cattle kraals and season. Percentage cleanliness scores of smallholder dairy cows by season, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe.

Cow cleanliness was significantly associated with manure accumulation in cattle kraals (χ2= 33,218, df=1, p<0.001) and season (χ2 =14,234,104, df=1, p<0.001). The good husbandry practice of removing manure and slurry was not done on a regular basis i.e. once per week, by the majority of farmers (80%) which led to the accumulation of manure and slurry in most kraals. Failure by smallholder dairy farmers to remove slurry on a regular basis may predispose cows to environmental mastitis [10]. The claw lesions will result in lameness and consequently impaired cow welfare. Instead of regularly removing slurry from cattle pens famers opted to let the dung accumulate as manure which is then used to fertilize crops at the expense of cow comfort. On those farms that were visited when cows were still in their kraals, dairy cows were observed lying on top of manure, fresh cow dung and sometimes on bare earth.

Body condition Figure 3 illustrates the percentage distribution of various body condition scores from the two study sites by season and Table 2 shows factors significantly associated with good body condition. Cattle condition picked up in summer and severely dropped in winter. The observation that in most of the farms (52%), protein concentrates were not given on a regular basis (Table 2) implies that feeding standards for most of these smallholder units was below the expected average. The association significance observed in this study between a good body condition score and regular feeding of commercial concentrate shows the welfare benefits of including standard levels of protein and energy in diet of dairy cows. Cows in poor body condition have low levels of milk fat and low overall milk yields because of inadequate reserves of protein and energy and may undergo anoestrus up and until the body condition improve [8]. Verbal information from farmers showed that protein concentrates were fed to lactating cows only, an indication that dry cows and heifers were denied access to quality nutrients in these production units. There was no significant association between regular feeding of home mixed concentrates (sunflower cake and crushed maize) and a good body condition. However, though not verified, it could be due to a poor mixing ratio of sunflower and crushed maize as well as failure to quantify properly these supplements when offering them to cows. The observation that farmers who had received formal agriculture training (25%) owned the majority of cattle with an optimum body condition demonstrates the benefits of formal agriculture training in improving cattle welfare and hence productivity. However, no association significance was observed between institutional support received by farmers and observed body condition scores.

Air loss

As shown in Table 3, very few cows (3%) had large patches of hair loss. These observed hair loss scores were in most cases a direct result of prior exposure to skin diseases.

Skin lesions and their implications

These were confined to various body parts like the neck, abdomen, tail head and ribcage. The observed skin lesions reflected poor management and indicated that dairy cows in these smallholder farms were living in harmful environments. Among the 41 farms visited 32% of the observed animal houses had sharp protruding poles and wires on either the entrance or on the side walls. These wires and protruding poles were possible causes of abdomen and rib cage lesions and were statistically tested but had no significant effect. Use of opened up metal drums with rough edges in 26% of the studied farms was put forward as a risk factor to observed neck and mouth lesions but no significant association was found. The unexpected lack of significant association between rib cage lesions and presence of sharp protruding poles in cattle houses, as well as lack of significant association between neck lesions and use of metal drums with rough and sharp edges could be due to the small sample size and other factors which could not be assessed on the farm like thorns from the grazing area which could prick cows as well as use of barbed wire in paddocks. Verbal information from farmers also revealed that some of the observed skin lesions were caused by surgical removal of warts using hot knives and removal of horns in adult cattle although this was not very common. The verbal discussions also revealed that anesthetics were not being used by many farmers.

Hind limb lesions from the 86 animals observed, 36% had lesions on hind limbs. Hind limb lesions were significantly associated (χ2= 6,567, p=0.010) with tying of hind limbs during milking. The practice of tying hind limbs while milking was being practiced on 82% of the farms visited.

Teat lesions from the 86 cows assessed, 26 % had visible teat lesions such as scratches, swellings and cracks on the teat skin. For effective mastitis control and improved dairy cow welfare, there is need to maintain good teat skin through use of teat lubricants and proper milking procedures [11]. Table 4 shows proportion of farmers that used various teat lubricants.

Occurrence of teat lesions was significantly associated with the type of teat lubricant used (χ2=12.982, df= 4, p =0.011). This was anticipated because teat lubricants reduce friction between the teat and the milker’s hands when hand milks and act as insulators to teats thereby reducing chances of teat damage. The use of milk salve was more common in Gokwe South where famers were getting the lubricant from the Milk Collection Centre (MCC) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) than in Gweru where no such assistance existed. In Gweru there was use of petroleum jelly as a substitute for milk-salve which was not locally available. The observation that there were fewer cows that had teat lesions belonging to farmers who were using petroleum jelly when compared to those farmers that did not use any teat lubricant, confirms the welfare benefits of teat lubrication to dairy cows. In Zimbabwe petroleum jelly is cheap and locally available lubricant used by people. When used as a lubricant by human beings, petroleum jelly protects: minor cuts, skin scraps, dry and cracked skin by preventing moisture loss from these areas thereby speeding up the natural healing process. These are the same roles that are played by milk salve on cattle teats, making petroleum jelly an effective substitute for milk salve. Factors that were not investigated such as teat pulling could also be held accountable for the unexpected occurrence of teat lesions even on those farms where teat lubricants were frequently used. However, the practice of allowing calves to suckle before and after milking reported in more than 10% of the farms visited, could also be attributable to some of the teat lesions observed in cows belonging to farmers who were using teat lubricant.

Aggressive interactions

Frequent aggressive interactions between cows were recorded in 31% of the 41 farms studied and were significantly associated with an inadequacy of feeding space (χ2= 20.757, df=1 p<0.001). When feeding simultaneously and if feeding space is inadequate cows compete and, in the process, shy and weak cows are bullied away. Aggressive interactions between cows were more common in instances where cows were sharing a single small feeding trough. When cows were feeding simultaneously, feeding space per cow was not adequate (<0.5m per cow) in 72% of the observed farms. On some farms three to four cows were observed sharing feed from an opened up tire or a small wooden feeding trough. In those situations, cows were then observed pushing against each other and the shy feeders moving away from the trough.

Avoidance distance

Only 34% of the cows studied were touched by the approaching stockperson, the rest moved away. The association between avoidance distance and use of whips as well as shouting at cows (Table 5) was attributable to the fact that dairy cows can remember negative interactions and the place where these negative interactions may have occurred as well as the negative handler. Negative interactions such as use of whips, shouting and whistling when handling cows, results in poor growth performance and lowers immune response in dairy cows [12]. The association significance between avoidance distance and frequency of mineral supplementation to dairy cows could be related to regular feeding of nutritious feed to cows which improves the quality of human to cow relationship as the cows get used to and enjoy contact with the stockman who feeds them with quality feed. There was no association between avoidance distance and factors such as institutional support and farmer level of education.

    Conclusion and Recommendations

Poor dairy cattle welfare exists in the smallholder dairy production systems in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Agriculture extension departments should promote pasture and forage production among smallholder dairies and should also incorporate lessons on animal welfare in its curriculum. Zimbabwe should enforce implementation of the Prevention of cruelty to animals act of 1960 and where possible come up with a more comprehensive Animal welfare act. To raise childhood awareness on animal welfare issues, it is further recommended that Primary schools education curriculum should include animal welfare lessons and there is need for innovation platforms on animal welfare in Zimbabwe. Further studies can be done to evaluate dairy calf welfare to evaluate the potential of the replacement dairy herd.

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LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS

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A Review of Dairy Cattle Potentials, Drawbacks & Imminent Outlooks in Ethiopia

Abstract

This review was provoked with the purpose of examine and comprehend dairy cattle performance, constraints and prospects of Ethiopian dairy production. Ethiopia holds tenth largest cattle population in the world which contributes 45% of the country GDP and almost all rural population of the country are based on livestock as a major source of income. From livestock production dairying is very crucial for farmers income and their major milk sources are cattle, camel and goats. In communal sense the country has mainly three types of dairy production system Rural, Urban and peri-urban. In urban and peri-urban system farmers insist and employed in dairy production as a main business and they contribute only 2% of total country milk production. Whereas the rural system practices subsistence mixed crop-livestock type of production system and they contribute 98 % of total country milk production. The country has diverse topographic and climatic conditions, adequate land resource, high livestock population, suitable agro-ecology, risk free environment, high yielding disease resistant breed and cheap labor force which makes the dairy production more comfortable. Accordingly with this comfortable environment, in the future outlook the country needed strong and competitive investors that can invest in feed processing, modern dairy farming, full milk processing equipment supply and maintenance, marketing and other dairy advisory works. Most importantly, the technology share of developing countries from western people is proven impractical because of socio-economic and climatic differences. The common Ethiopian dairy production constraints that have highly stated in various researchers were lack of AI and veterinary service, skill gap of farmers, high price and inadequate accessibility of feed and improved dairy cattle. Thereof dairy constraints probably display the policy gap of government and their less attention for the sector. Therefore, the absence of dairy sector policy increases uncertainty of future dairy productivity unless the sector policy starts to organize, guide and control it.

Keywords: Dairy cows; Potentials; Constraints; Prospects; Ethiopia

Abbreviations: AI- Artificial Insemination; CI- Calving Interval; CSA- Central Statistics Agency; DMI- Dry Matter Intake; DO-Days Open; E.C- Ethiopian Calendar; EMDIDI- Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Industry Development Institute; FAO- Food and Agricultural Organiation; FCA- First Calving Age; GDP-Gross Domestic Product; Kg- Kilogram; Kg/d- Kilogram Per Day; L-Liter; NSC- Number of Service Per Conception; SHD- Small Holder Dairy

Introduction

The dairy sector is one of fastest growing sector with its significant contribution in employment opportunities and the country economic return in Eastern African countries. In Africa, Eastern Africa covers 68% of the continent milk production which is the first and leading milk production region; and the countries “Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania are among the biggest diary producers” [1].

In Ethiopian agriculture is the major means of economy with about 55 million ha in various agro-ecological zones of unlimited arable land [2]. The highlands of Ethiopia cover over 40% of the country land which is the largest in sub-Saharan Africa and it have a large potential for dairy farming [3]. The country holds diverse topographic and climatic conditions [4], adequate land resource, favorable climate with high livestock population, suitable agro ecology, risk free environment for work, high yielding disease resistant breed and cheap labor force [3], huge livestock genetic diversity and the government found out that livestock as a new source of country development [5]. Besides, there is a durable support from institutions, universities, colleges and agricultural extension workers; thereof all opens an opportunity for smallholder farmers to wisely use (land, labor and feed source) to generate income and to attract foreigners for investment [3].

From the country livestock productivity dairy production is a crucial for farmers income and their major milk sources are cattle, camel and goats. In thereof milk sources dairy cattle covers 83 percent of total milk production [6], and indigenous local breeds are dominated around 97-98% with traditional production system [4], this higher coverage of local cows and their poor production performance influences people milk satisfaction in the increasing demand of milk and the country economic growth [7]. In the rural Ethiopia around 80% of population based on livestock as a major source of livelihood and the country having a tenth largest cattle population in the world in accounting 56 million heads and this covers for 45% of the country GDP [8] and 16% of national GDP [9].

Dairy farming involved all parts of the country weather subsistence or in market-oriented position [10]. The country total annual milk production is 1.0 million tones in all livestock milk sources and 0.8 million tones only in dairy cattle [9]. The annual milk gain of cattle covers over 85% of overall milk productivity and from the total number of livestock 11.4 million cows are estimated to be milking cows and it reaches around 20.4 percent [8]; and the average lactating periods of dairy cows were 6 months [11].

Ethiopian livestock sector receives 13% of the country export earnings and urban and peri-urban areas around three hundred thousand crossbreed cows are used for milk production with comparatively better management [9]. Most importantly, in Rural and Urban areas livestock opens a chance of getting protein richfoods to fulfil the daily needs of population and also for poor households it helps to prevent them in keeping their wellbeing from falling to poverty [8].

In economic point of view, 70% of cost of animal production is feed and its quantity, quality and science of feeding drives livestock productivity [5]. For extensive smallholder livestock farming system grazing is the most practiced types of feeding in Ethiopia [12]. There are 28 feed manufacturer farmer unions that distribute feeds throughout the country and 32 privately owned plants. The constraints of feed processors were absence of raw materials, lack of market orientation and awareness for utilization of processed feed makes the farmer unions to work under their designed capacity and as a result accessibility of processed feed in Ethiopia are limited [5].

Dairy production system in Ethiopia classified as rural, urban/peri-urban & commercial systems [8] and the system also grouped in to highland smallholder, pastoralism, urban and periurban and intensive system [13]. In communal sense Ethiopian dairy production system can be divided into Rural, Urban and peri-urban system [4]. In rural production system, even though the sector creates more employment opportunity [8] and usually their adapted local cows are resistant to disease but farmers still pauses in subsistence level with low income due to their poor management and husbandry practice [6]. This system as whole have almost similar management unit and practice subsistence crop-livestock mixed production system [13] and it mainly includes pastoralists, agropastoral and crop-livestock producers of rural lowland and highland areas [8]. On the other hand, in urban and peri-urban system farmers insist and employed in dairy production as a main business and mainly started with nurturing crossbreed cows [14] in around 50-62.5% improved breeds and their reproductivity mostly based on artificial insemination [6]. However, the reproductivity of rural system existed both cross and local breeds that normally benefits in bearable to maintain genetic diversity [14]. The milk production and its value-added product have the largest share on small holder dairy farmers [15] and most importantly the country 98 percent of total milk production produced in rural system [13] but urban and peri-urban system only contributes 2% of total country milk production [4].

The country dairy sector work division of rural system displays women are significantly provided in consistent daily income as a vibrant production extension to home nourishment in family security. The work of labor in dairy farming are most importantly adapted as a woman work and 85 percent of the tasks done by women. On the other hand, in urban and peri-urban system the household part of family has their own work in dairy production [15] and the involvement of gender is better than rural system as men also works in milking, taking milk to collection center, fetching water, cleaning stalls, taking care of animals and cutting and carrying forage and grass etc. Therefore in urban and periurban system women and men involvement have a great value for stable family income with increased dairy farming productivity [8].

Genetic improved trait of dairy cattle reproductive rate is economically importance for herd replacement and milk productivity; however, the influences of environment, diseases, nutrition and management constrains especially tropical cows have low fertility rate [12]. The breed preferences of Ethiopian farmers chosen crossbreed cows due to high milk yield but unsuccessful in rural production system because of their weak management with cow’s poor resistance for disease. Whereas for local cows as they are disease resistant and even alive in poor management but having depleted measure in productivity of low milk yield potential [15] which is a main challenge for the diary sector. While there is a potential to increase indigenous cows performance unless lack of management mostly feed insufficiency that makes local cows unrecoverable [3].

Usually, farmer’s strength of dairying increases with the increment of milk yield with their prospered cost-effectiveness; this consistently motivates them to work hard energetically, retrieving the farm to have greater proportion of cross breed cows, good manure management, wise utilization of feed sources, finding a new way to be accessible in dairying information and exercise dairy production experience. Besides, they care for the futurity of the farm through preparing for further expansion and fulfilling veterinary service, AI, market, and look over other dairying facility options [14]. The major imperative factors for the strength of dairy productivity are promotion on nutritional awareness, change feeding habits, urbanization and population growth; most importantly population growth enforcing to increase milk demand and supply chain at the same time within the organized dairy value chain [16]. The empowerment of dairy sector enterprises helps dairying to be influential and this will occur when the country government focus and handle farmers in coordinate with dairy cooperatives to have enough information access for nutrition, market, breeding, hygiene, health, milk handling and transportation and to join in a vertical relationship with extensionists and their actors [15].

In Africa population rate of milk demand displays suggestively more increment than milk productivity [17]. The country dairy productivity contributes a great role for poverty alleviation; however, the sector faced many challenges such as deficient skilled manpower, lacks modern animal husbandry management practice, lacks advanced technologies [3], and also shortage of processing equipment supply and its high cost, low market access, absence of enough urban and pre-urban dairy producer led cooperatives, poor market linkage of producer with value chain actors [16]. Thereof influences tensioned the milk producer and processer industries against the work power of their installed performance [13]. On the other hand, animal health issues are more influencing constraint for Ethiopian dairy sector due to their extremely poor feeding practice which decreases fertility rate, diseases resistance ability and finally increases mortality and morbidity rate [3]. In tropical area’s internal parasites like liver fluke and round worm and also flies and ticks are commonly existing. Thereof and other parasites existence is probably due to lack of dairy farm herd management like feeding method, waste management, calf feeding and care [12]. The dairy health problems resulted from both considered and unconsidered abandoned constraints. The factors that come from managements like housing, feeding and veterinary service causes cows to be offensive, unhealthy, unwholesome and ended their life productivity unsuccessfully [15]. The inaccessibility of veterinary service, transportation difficulties and veterinary professional shortage stresses dairy sector in funding for loss of animals in diseases. The outcome of this all veterinary low performance comes from government monopolized service and their less attention for livestock sector [4].

In the success of dairy productivity market accessibility is one of the major determinant factor as market limits power of production in fluctuation of demand and supply, and inaccessibility of inputs [6]. In Ethiopia market access is limited and the marketing system is not well organized as the dairy production is dominated by smallholder farmers [6]. Formal and informal market are both available but unlicensed informal market are dominated especially in rural system [4]. In formal market most cooperatives and producers were deliver fresh milk to consumer whereas the informal market milk may pass from two or more market agents or directly to the consumer [16]. Generally, Ethiopian dairy products export and inside consumption market is generally professed poor because of lack of market focused products, lack of production resource information, lack of infrastructure and agricultural inputs facilities (road, electric, transport, land, water and feed) and lastly illegal trade with illegal market are the most influences that drive dairy productivity inaccurately [3].

The government of Ethiopia hasn’t applied any policy for milk quality [12], for dairy product marketing and processing at zonal as well as national level in safeguarding consumers health and for the product predictability [15]; only 13% of milk processing plant practiced milk quality control and pasteurization [12]. On the other hand, outside imported milk share influences the prices of country producers and the country producer marketing system also impact diary production as informal system dominates and leads around 88% over formal market [4]. For thereof most dairy constraints, absence of dairy sector policy was the main cause and because of this the dairy productivity status shows today extremely doubtful figure.

Nowadays, the country dairy sector categorized as a transition level in shifting way to market oriented economy; as opened market, participation of the private sector and advancement of smallholder dairy are the main features of this phase. The increment of population and expansion of urbanization stirred and drives the outlook of Ethiopian forthcoming dairy productivity. In population augmentation, it is predictable that developing more dairy industry places in a major focus as it will have a major role in distributing milk for children and younger generation [3]. Therefore, the establishment of dairying and dairy industry with strong extension service and devotedly heartening farmers are strongly advisable for diary sector futurity. This Review was initiated with the purpose of examining Ethiopian dairy cattle potential, their drawbacks and the forthcoming opportunities of Ethiopian dairy production. The paper particularly covers the country dairy cattle production systems, production and reproductive performance, constraints, policy, forthcoming outlook and other related dairying status of the country.

Dairy Production in Ethiopia

Dairy production system

Dairy production system in Ethiopia classified mainly based on objective and scale of production, location, agroecology, market orientation, access inputs and services. On the basis of climate, landholding capacity and integration with crop the dairy production system grouped as small-scale rural, peri-urban and urban [6]. Dairy system also classified as rural, urban/peri-urban & commercial systems [8]. On the other hand, Ethiopian dairy production system classified into four main groups highland smallholder, pastoralism, urban and peri-urban and intensive system [13]. The rural production system highland rural or smallholder pastoralists are parts of rural system [18] and intensive or commercial system occurs in both peri-urban and urban production system [8]. In communal sense Ethiopia has mainly three types of dairy production system Rural, Urban and peri-urban [4].

Urban dairy production: This system is located in cities or towns and farmers are specialized dairy producer for sale of fluid milk without or little land resources and few numbers of farmers practice commercial dairy farming unless practiced in state sector. As the system farmers main source of income is milk, they manage animals in feed by growing fodder for dairy cattle on the segment of land or all land [4]. In urban system the location has a better infrastructure [8] with easily accessibility of inputs such as artificial insemination, feed, market [6], market information and other resources which makes them to start dairying based on market orientation [8]. Besides this accessibility of resources and having better market orientation makes them to hold higher exotic blood level of dairy cattle breeds [19]. There is a dominant improved breeds managed by herd labor [4] and these owner farmers are forced to buy feeds for better annual milk production and their breed improvement as they are located in cities. Farmers sold their milk 73 percent of total production, 10 percent takes as consumption, 9.4 percent gives for their calves and the rest 7.6 percent process as butter and ayib [12].

Peri-urban dairy production: The system producer farmers are mostly located in cities and small towns. The labor costs are raising and population density is high due to the expansion of urbanization [12]. In behind population augmentation, land for production is shrinking; some farmers graze their animal in roadside because of limited access for cultivable or pastureland. The country most improved breeds owned in this system; in which cows are 50% crosses to high grade breeds and they feed their dairy cows with purchased and home-produced hay by delivering both sources as an option [6].

Rural production system: Rural production system of whole farmers have almost similar management unit and practice subsistence crop-livestock mixed type of production system [13] and it mainly includes pastoralists, agropastoral and croplivestock producers of rural lowland and highland areas [8]. The usual type of feeds and feeding are stub grazing, crop residue and native pasture. The indigenous cows are common breeds for the system [13]. The most usual milk surpluses are butter ghee, ayib and sour milk which marketed through informal way.

The constraints that influence the system were limited access to formal market and low input-output technology, unable to get incentives [8], seasonally dependency due to feed shortage and variability of rainfall [13], and inaccessible for market, transportation and other facilities due to the area remoteness makes various inputs to get in higher cost and decreases farmers productivity with higher cost of production [6]. Thereof influences results to be 85% of farmers production kept for consumption and only 7% of it sold in market [6].

Furthermore, rural dairy production system contributes 98% of total country milk production and their milk surplus determinates includes demand of household and neighbors, production season, market accessibility and their herd size potential [12]. Farmers usually provide cattle for the purpose of milk, meat, hides and drafting power and also have a cultural impact on their social status [8], and threshing ripen crops, their dung as a manure [20].

Most importantly rural farmers lack awareness on leadership for achievement of current resource and service, and to work dairy farming as a business as they mainly practice mixed croplivestock farming system. Thereof constraint influences farmers to have small number of cows in average 3-4 indigenous and 1-2 cross breed cows with their low productivity of 400–600 liters in 180-210 lactation days. Generally, in this system, even though the sector creates more employment opportunity [8] and local cows are resistant to disease [6] but farmers pauses in subsistence level with low income due to their poor management and husbandry practice.

The brief of urban/peri-urban versus rural system

In urban and peri-urban system farmers insist and employed in dairy production as a main business and mainly started with nurturing crossbreed cows [14] in around 50-62.5% are improved breeds and their reproductivity mostly based on artificial insemination [6]. whereas in the rural system the existence of both cross and local breeds benefits to maintain genetic diversity [14]. Milk production and its value-added product have the largest share on small holder dairy farmers [15] and most importantly the country 98 percent of total milk production produced in rural system [13] but urban and peri-urban system only contributes 2% of total country milk production [4].

In peri-urban and urban production system small number of farmers are linked the business than in rural system but they are specialized, commercially-oriented and more focused types of farmers. They target crossbreed and ranking productive dairy cows on average 2-3 crossbreeds or exotic breeds with the potential of milk production 1120-2500 liters over 300 lactation days. For rural system they practice subsistence mixed crop-livestock type of production system and their herd size reaches 3-4 indigenous cows and 1-2 cross breed cows but their productivity is very low around 400–600 liters in 180-210 lactation days [8].

The location of urban and peri-urban system is located more resource accessible areas in and around cities and towns; they feed industrial by product as concentrate like oil seedcakes and wheat bran. But for rural system feed in stub grazing, crop residue and native pasture [13] due to limited accessibility of market and low input-output technology [8] which makes them to remain in low productivity. In the milk supplier formal channel urban and peri-urban producers are the leading supplier; but most milk processors owning their dairy cows is a common practice to ensure adequate milk supply and quality similar with cafés and restaurants [8]. On the other hand, rural system was unable to get incentives [8], and are inaccessible for market and transportation which decreases farmers productivity, paying higher cost of production and as a result they consume 85% of their production [6].

Labor and Work Division

Work division in rural systems: In rural dairy production women significantly provided in consistent daily income as a vibrant production extension to home nourishment in family security [8]. The survey that have conducted in Essera district at Southern Ethiopia states that women were the performer of marketing for dairy products [21]. The work of labor in dairy farming are most importantly adapted as a woman work and 85 percent of the tasks done by women. In milk processing at formal and informal domain women are the most worker in the highlands. In such a way the involvement of women is vital to the accomplishment of the visualizations of proposed Ethiopian government plan. Women and children are ended almost all dairy farming activities in rural system specifically in remote areas. The habit of doings in attention for animal’s care, processing and for value addition activities mostly Women are the accountable body. In this way on cattle activities women devote their time on average 8-9 hours. From these hours more time around 4-5 hours/day they give for preparing forage, feeding and watering. On the rest time they give for milking, storage and cleaning the room. whereas, men doings are related with marketing activities and children involved in keeping animals and milk collection [8].

Work division in urban and peri-urban system: In this system the household part of family has their own work in dairy production [15] and the involvement of gender is better than rural system as men also works in milking, taking milk to collection center, fetching water, cleaning stalls, taking care of animals and cutting and carrying forage and grass etc. So that in this system women and men involvement have a great value for stable family income with increased dairy farming productivity [8]. Mostly females participate in dairy farm operations which includes: milking, cleaning (barn and milk containers), milk storing, preserving, quality control, processing and marketing (milk, butter and other products). On the other hand, dairy herd management practices all family members were participated. The herd management activities that are mostly used for extension service and training includes feeding, watering, health management, pasture management and heat detection [15].

Employed labor in dairy sector: In Ethiopian highlands the largest rural employer is placed and the rural production system daily base full-time jobs are estimated to be 224.5 within the milk production of one thousand liters, from these 70% are family and 30% are hired labor. Whereas within similar one thousand liters of milk production in peri-urban/urban production system 26.3 full-time jobs are needed and from these labors 65 % and 35% are family and hired labor respectively. In annual basis its estimated that 200 and 300 days are a work duration of rural system and peri-urban/urban production system respectively [8].

The number of labors present on dairy sector were varies season to season; in months June to August, January to May and on the rest months there were a surplus, shortage and sufficient laborers respectively. Most farmers fence shortage of labor due to absence of readily available labor for dairy production. Farmers usually used hired labor for barn cleaning, forage development, feed collection, transporting grasses and plowing land. When their children were at school, they used to manage their livestock by tethering, stall and home feeding methods [15].

Potentials of Ethiopian dairy cattle

The country highland areas are expected to be the potential area of dairy production as they have better agro-climatic condition and low disease pressure [22]. In livestock productivity dairy production is a crucial income for Ethiopian farmers; in which cattle, camel and goats are their major milk sources. In the country dairy sector, dairy cattle covers 83 percent of total milk production [6] and 97-98% of dairy cattle breed dominated by indigenous local breeds with traditional production system [4]. Although dairy productivity contributes a great role for poverty alleviation but the country dairy sector deficient in skilled manpower, lacks modern animal husbandry and management practice, and also lacks advanced technologies and advanced people that can operate technologies. Thereof reasons influence milk producer and processer industries against their installed performance [3].

Lactation length: in definition lactation is the time of cows after parturition that starts to secret milk until the time of drying off. In dairy cattle lactating cows, there are three lactation stages early, medium and late lactation. The lactation periods of dairy cattle differ in various places for example Debre Birhan, Sebeta, Shambu, Melkasa, Welenchiti, Gonder, Bahir Dar Zuria lactation periods were 9.7, 10, 10.53, 10.8, 11.4, 9.17 and 10 months respectively. Mostly cows give milk for ten months lactation period and two months rest in drying off but in Ethiopian case lactation periods were in between minimum of 8.7 months which is recorded in Debre Markos and the maximum reaches 12 months in Kombolcha [23].

Milk yield potential: The milk yield of each cows depends on month of calving, feed availability and milking experience [15] and also on type of breed, production system and their management [23]. The highest milk was recorded in the first four months of lactation periods and after that it declines; in the months May to September milk yield increases due to high supply of feed [15] and in higher cities produce more than lower cities due to the availability of input facilities [23]. Local cows have a low genetic potential for milk production and it tickles as a major limitation for supply chain; for this reason selection of breed and appropriate management is needed to make them productive [15]. For Ethiopian endogenous cattle the average milk yield reaches 1.5 to 2 liters/day in 150-180 lactation days [12] and also reported their productivity is lower around 0.5 to 2 liter/day in 160 to 200 lactation days. On the experience of ILCA participating farmers the first and second lactation periods shows significant variation; in which the first lactation of crossbreed cows annual average milk yield was 1769 and 2347 liters for the second lactation [12].

The average dairy cattle milk potential of indigenous cows in Haramaya district was 2.23 liter/day [24] and as general in rural system the local breed average milk yield of indigenous breed was 1.1 to 2.1 liters per day and for peri-urban and urban system it reaches around 2.7 to 1.9 liters and 3 to 3.4 liters per day respectively [25]. On the other hand, for improved crossbreed cows daily milk yield in the cities of Bishoftu, Akaki, Adama and Hawassa were 11.6, 10.8, 11.3 and 10.32 average liters per day respectively that shows more comparable milk yield between them. Whereas for Bahir Dar, Gonder, Debre Markos, Bahir Dar Zuria and three towns of Horo Guduru Wollega zone were 7.8, 7.3, 5.2 and 7.21 liters per day respectively. When we compare Bahir Dar Zuria from thereof, it shows the least producer in milk yield [23] and finally for the range of individual cross breed cows’ daily milk yield in urban and peri-urban areas of the same milkshed area were recorded 10 to 16 and 9.5 liters for urban and periurban respectively [8].

Dairy cattle herd size: In peri-urban areas of Addis, Gonder, Bahir Dar, Adwa and Axum milk shed areas the average herd size were 11.8, 6.5 and 6.5, 4.83, and 4.83 TLU respectively. whereas for Debre Markos, Hawassa city, Boditi, Shashemene and Dilla the average herd sizes were 7.35, 3.15, 3.9, 3.34 and 1.51 per household. The Haramaya district farmers holding capacity was two to three cows about 33.3 percent of them and the rest 66.7 percent owns only one cow per household [24]. Most importantly thereof herd size and farmers dairy productivity determined with the accessibility of improved feeds, breeds, industry byproducts, market, land, AI service and other management activities [23].

Reproductivity of dairy cows

In dairy farming dairy cattle reproductive rate with genetic improved trait is economically importance for herd replacement and milk productivity. Although reproductivity has great importance for dairy farming but due to environmental, diseases, nutrition, management and genotype constraints tropical cows have low fertility rate [12].

Artificial insemination: In various dairy production system accessibility of artificial insemination is wide-ranging and this is one of the major challenges that influence dairy producers [14].

Farmers use artificial insemination as a genetic improvement based on its accessibility. The accessibility of AI is high in and around Addis Ababa, due to this reason farmers artificial insemination usage reaches about 77.4 percent and the rest 3% for natural mating, 19.4 use both as optional. on the other hand, in Shashemene, Dilla, Bishoftu, Gonder and Boditi around 50,50, 22.5, 20, 48.4 percent of them use artificial insemination respectively and the rest use natural mating and both natural and AI. For Debre Markos town they only use natural mating; this indicates that the accessibility of artificial insemination has a great difference between towns and continues to regions of the country [23].

First calving age (FCA): In Ethiopia dairy cattle first calving age of endogenous and cross breed heifers reaches around 35.1 to 53 months and 29.8 months for local and cross breed cows respectively. In this age of heifers there are some endogenous and exogenous factors that affect puberty. From endogenous includes genotype, growth and body weight; and exogenous factors consist of season of birth, rainfall, nutrition, thermal stress, rearing method, parasite and diseases [12].

Calving interval: In dairy farming to maintain the continuality of the farm with obtaining appropriate economic profit and reimbursement one year of calving interval is commonly supposed and acknowledged. As the researcher explored CI highly differs between 25, 50 75 percent levels of cross breeds which were 22.15±4.22, 17.52±4.36, and 15.70±3.21 for 25,50 and 75% respectively [22].

On the other hand, due to the factors of nutrition, season, milk yield, parity, suckling and uterine involution; one year interval is not to do so for the country production system, accordingly cross breed dairy cattle calving interval on central highlands shows 25.95 months [12].

Days open (DO): in definition days open meaning: the waiting days of dairy cows between calving and conception and the increment of these days reduces cow’s profitability because of reduced milk production, breed cost increment, replacement cost and increased risk of culling. In west Gojjam zone the days open was recorded for local breeds 294.60±43.20, whereas for crossbreeds of 25, 50 and 75% of blood level were 112.80±42.00, 109.80±54.00 and 103.50±36.00 days respectively. In Andassa breeding ranch DO of Fogera breed shows 280±3.4. on the other hand, for highland and lowland Zebu breed DO were 215 and 250 days respectively [22].

Number of services per conception (NSC): in Amhara region West Gojjam zone average value of NSC for local and different blood level was much different. As the researcher stated local cows and crossbreed of 25, 50 and 75% blood level recorded 1.67±0.61 and 1.71±0.40, 1.51±0.34 and 1.66±0.41 respectively, and overall 1.63±0.44 service times per conception. On the other hand, NSC of 1.28, 1.54, 1.59, 1.54 and 1.52 were recorded for Metekel ranch, North Gonder, Burie district and Andassa livestock research center and Assella Town respectively [22] (Table 1).

Days open and number of services per conception (N=180)

Source: (M. Kassahun, 2016)

Managements of Dairy Cattle

Feed and nutrition: The farmers feeding in urban dairy farming mostly zero grazing is common practice due to their small land holdings [26]. In economic point of view, 70% of cost of animal production is feed and its quantity, quality and science of feeding drives livestock productivity [5]. For extensive smallholder livestock farming system grazing is the most practiced types of feeding in Ethiopia [12]. There are 28 feed manufacturer farmers union that distribute feeds throughout the country and 32 privately owned plants. The constraints of feed processors such as absence of raw materials, lack of market orientation and awareness for utilization of processed feed makes the farmer unions to work under their designed capacity and as a result accessibility of processed feed in Ethiopia are limited [5].

The feeds hay and crop residues are most common feeds with concentrate of available agro-industrial byproducts [23]. In many countries 60 percent of dry matter intake is crop residue, and in Ethiopia 13 million tons of crop residues are produced in annual base but it has low voluntary intake due to its low digestibility rate. In some parts of Ethiopia farmers practice urea treated straw and this increases their milk yield 0.5 to 2 liters per day; on thereof treatment farmers fence major impacts like higher price of urea and plastic, ammonia smell, time constraint for harvesting and also storage difficulty [12].

In Bishoftu farmers experience to feed their cows concentrate feeds of noug seedcake and wheat bran and other forages like crop residues, stored hay, vegetables, fruit wastes and legume forages which is very important for multi-agricultural advantage and environmental protection. Feeding fruit wastes for animal diet clean and conserve the environment, but most rural areas lack such experiences in taking fruit wastes as animals feed before outflows on the environment. In most tows like Jimma, Badalle, Ambo, Gimbi and Naqamte, Adet, Merawi they commonly feed cows in grazing and stall feeding. whereas the towns in nearby Addis like Ejere and Hinchini tows as there is more demand and farmers are more informed in dairying, they fed animals improved feeds concentrates and some forages in stall feeding; and in Addis Ababa hay with wheat bran concentrate feeding were main feed sources. In Hawassa, Adwa and Aksum, they practice grazing, crop residues, hay and local beer byproduct (atella) whereas in Jimma, Shambo, Fincha & Kombolcha commonly feed their cows noug cake and wheat bran concentrates; in addition to thereof Jimma farmers fed cows green feed as a basal diet [23].

Usually in Ethiopia feeds of cultural byproducts like atella from traditional beer and other non-conventional feeds utilized as a supplement, and are less competitive between farmers. There are ten identified non-conventional feeds in Addis Ababa milk shed area; which includes lentil hull, faba bean hull, field pea hull, rough pea hull, tela atella (local brewery residue), Katicala atella (local liquor residue), cabbage waste, orange peel, banana peel and poultry litter. Thereof non-conventional feeds divided into four main groups: wastes of vegetable and fruits, poultry litter, Atella and pulse hulls [12].

The country dairy sector landholdings: Agriculture is the sustenance of Ethiopian economy with about 55 million ha in various agro-ecological zones of unlimited arable land [2]. The highlands of Ethiopia cover over 40% of the country land which is the largest in sub-Saharan Africa and it have a large potential for dairy farming. But because of the absence of attention on dairy sector farmers incapability to access land influences in expansion of dairying, feed production and building other dairy enterprises; and most importantly the higher cattle population with inadequate feed availability as a result of restricted land for pasture establishment [3]. The agricultural system that practices in the highland areas are predominantly subsistence smallholder mixed crop-livestock type of farming [4]. Although farmers land in rural system competing for crop production and planting forages but mostly herd size decides the land limit. Farmers that have larger herd size of both cross and indigenous breed cattle is motivated to plant forages in better land holdings than the smaller one [14]. The augmentation of human population is on the means of urbanization increment which affects grazing land and fodder feeds to be deficit for dairy farming; in this way the continual of dairy production hangs on the hand of land influences [4].

In west Gojjam zone the average landholdings were 1.88, 1.13 and 0.29 ha per household for rural, peri-urban and urban areas respectively; whereas for overall mean of Bure district, Mieso district, and Mecha and Bahir Dar Zuria landholdings were 1.33, 1.76 and 2.66 respectively [22].

In rural area the grazing land is 0.37 ha whereas for national and regional its decreases around 0.26 and 0.31ha respectively. In Bale high land, Mieso district, and Bure district mean grazing land was 0.33, 1.32 and 0.07 ha per household respectively. The reason behind farmers access for these less landholdings was because of population increment in today urbanization expansion in that more land used for crop cultivation [22].

Dairy cattle housing: The variation of dairy cattle housing depends on system of production, agro-ecology, physiological stage and classes and/ or breeds of milking cows. Usually milking cattle housed at night time. There is a higher significant difference in their type of houses either roofed or simple corral with no roof in between local and cross breed and in urban and periurban system. Whereas rural production systems mostly keep local cows together with their living house [22]. Most livestock housing constructed based on environmental conditions weather tropical or temperate climates for reducing stress and disease by giving attention for dairy management activities such as nutrition, milking and sanitation of housing influences in disease exposing ability [12].

Manure management: urban and peri-urban farmers have better dairying awareness and good manure management; even though they have small land resource but their awareness for dairy production motivates them to perform better dairy manure management practice. Train farmers for manure management to use for many agricultural advantages like biogas and soil fertility plays a great role for the health of stock in safeguarding the environment [14]. Accordingly, the rural farmers in Ethiopia that practice biogas decreases one tenth of their total Urea and DAP chemical fertilizer usage in one production year [27]. In household level especially heads have a better positive mandated influence for manure and other management activities [14].

The strength of dairying: The major imperative factors for the strength and increment of dairy productivity are promotion on nutritional awareness, change feeding habits, urbanization and population growth; most importantly population growth plays a crucial role in forcing to increase milk demand and supply chain at the same time within the value chain [16]. Farmers strength of dairying increase with the increment of milk yield; the greater gain of milk yield consistently motivates them to work hard energetically, retrieving the farm to have greater proportion of cross breed cows, good manure management, wise utilization of feed sources, access to information, exercise dairy production experience and prepare for further expansion of the farm through fulfilling the accessibility of veterinary, AI, market, and other services and facilities [14]. The farmers adopting power of improved dairy cows and dairying performance results in higher employed workforces and also the minor increment of both crossbreed and local cows will open favorable policy, scientific intervention and strong extension service for enlarging dairy production [16].

Dairy farm record keeping: The importance of recording dairy cattle is for keeping control, follow up and decide for each animal based on their recorded history. Most importantly recording is used for managing and checking the farm economics weather the animal productivity is going well or not with yesterday history start from breeding; birth date, sire, dam, calving date, vaccination date, health problems, treatment, milk yield, feed and all other dairy farming related records. If the specific animal is not going well; it is decided to cull based on the performance recorded history. Record keeping is not well known for smallholder farmers, even for modern dairy farms there is a minimal purposive awareness among farmers and because of this they are confused in identification between animals. Records should be simple and easy to understand and to use clear exemplary records information as an input for veterinarian diagnoses and other management activity. Generally, as record keeping have many imperative advantages for the continual of dairy farming so that farmers needed to have awareness first on the purpose of recording and then preparing well organized records for presenting easily to each animals [12].

Dairying, market and extension service

Milk processing: On the current status of Ethiopian diary sector most dairy industries own their dairy farm to ensure supply and quality of milk and they are thirty-two in number [28]. The country population growth increases dairy demand and dairy processing industries also continuously increases time to time. Fresh milk was the major consumers preference as it has high fat content, vicinity, affordable price, long established experience and dairy product consumption increased year to year due to awareness creation and income generation of consumers [16]. In dairy sector cost of packaging, demand and supply fluctuation, milk quality, poor husbandry practice, lack of transparency and accountability are influences that constrain dairy processing [6]. In Bahir Dar Zuria and Mecha district of Northwestern Ethiopia the traditional products include butter, ghee Ayib, Arera, Ergo, Zure and Metata Ayib; and from these Zure and Metata Ayib are the region unique products [29].

Milk consumption: Dairy products were taken lonely or with other food stuffs and mostly consumed in zone level and transported to other parts of the country. Children are prioritized in consumption of milk whereas cottage cheese and butter were not prioritized as it consumed with other food stuff [15]. In urban and peri-urban dairying from the total milk production, they sold 73 percent, 10 percent used for consumption, 9 percent takes for feeding calves and the rest 8 percent processed into butter and cottage cheese [8] and for rural system 85% of farmers production kept for consumption and only 7% of it sold in market [6]. The abstaining of Christians in taking animal product for over 200 fasting days/year affects milk productivity in fluctuating milk demand. In these fasting times farmers enforced to travel in slow production as a result of most milk processors decrement in milk buying price [3].

In the last ten years back remembrance of dairy sector that has passed with much increment in milk production about 1.5 to 2.2 and 2.9 billion litters in year 2001 to 2005 and 2010 respectively which is linked with the increase in number of cows for population augmentation and demand requirement from the year 2001 to 2010; even though in the preceding years their annual consumption rate was declined from 26 kg to 16 kg in the year 1980 to 2009 interval periods. Thereof milk consumption and production rate ascribed that, the country population augmentation and milk production are extremely mismatched [4].

Milk marketing: In developing countries, the power of participation of smallholder farmers to market for selling and exchanging their agricultural product alleviates poverty. Dairy as a sector contributes for the people in security of asset and market participation for the poor and as improvement area for smallholder farmers [30]. In the success of dairy productivity market accessibility is one of the major determinant factor as market limits power of production in fluctuation of demand and supply, and inaccessibility of inputs [6]. In Ethiopia market access is limited and the marketing system is not well organized as the dairy production is dominated by smallholder farmers [6]. The choice of selling for milk significantly depend on the time spent after milking. the delayed milk has higher probability in selling directly for consumer than collector. The probability of selling milk directly for consumer increases by 5% in delaying one hour from the normal sending time [31]. The seasonal variation of milk marketing affects farmers in lowering milk price. Therefore, it’s important to have a contractual agreement with milk collector and processor for giving guarantee of sustainable marketing for producers [32].

There is high increment of demand in urban areas especially for pasteurized milk and unstable supply because of the rural areas inefficient delivery system and inadequate market outlet [28]. Formal and informal market are both available but unlicensed informal market are dominated especially in rural system [4]. In formal market most cooperatives and producers were deliver fresh milk to consumer whereas the informal market milk may pass from two or more market agents or directly to the consumer [16]. The market constrains dairy sector as only 5% of raw milk is sold in commercial market [28]. Generally, Ethiopian dairy products export and inside consumption market is generally professed poor because of lack of market focused products, lack of production resource information, lack of infrastructure and agricultural inputs facilities (road, electric, transport, land, water and feed) and lastly illegal trade with illegal market are the most influences that drive dairy productivity inaccurately [3].

Informal market: The term informal market to mean: participant farmers in market without license and government intervene for the purpose of low cost of operation and high producer price in comparing with formal market. The system farmers have no enough knowledge for milk handling with inadequate cooling system, water resource and other material facilities [6]. The long fasting period of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo believer limits milk informal market especially for smallholder farmers [12]. In Haramaya district farmers practice almost 94.3 percent of respondents in informal marketing system and they sold their milk 61.54% of their production and from this milk 72.13% it was sold directly for consumer. This indicates that collectors, traders and other supply chain actors were almost out of work in which it affects to increase unemployment rate [24].

Formal market: The closeness of market facilities, government enterprise and milk groups makes the country most energetic situations for fresh milk formal marketing in smallholder farmers [33]. Although this type of market appears in the last decades in Addis Ababa and major regional towns but it has much lower share of market than neighboring countries about 2% and for Kenya and Uganda 15% and 5% respectively. In this market system milk is released to processing plant through private collectors or cooperatives and suppliers much care of milk quality than informal system to control their milk rejection at delivery quality tests [6].

Dairy extension and training services: The Ethiopian farmers of total household less than one percent householders were served in livestock extension package. From livestock extension service more than half (60%) was given for poultry development whereas for dairy development was less than twenty percent. This indicates that less extension service was derived the dairy sector. In upgrading the sector government extensionists should organize for directing farmers filling their skill gap, subsidy and fortify future advancements [11]. Most importantly in financial service smallholder dairy (SHD) farmers are in influence and their knowledge and skill of dairy farming is limited; farmers that have dairy background is needed to have practical training at least for two to three months [12].

The dairy productivity needs extension of technical support until consumption in related with managements such as consultation service, feeding and nutrition, breeding, sanitation, milk hygiene, health (human & animal), marketing, handling and transportation to and from producer to consumer, collector and processor etc. [3]. The Farmers training leads for dairy development and creates an important intervention for sector modification. The most stated dairy actors capacity building intervention were dairy producer, processor and value chain actors and essentially dairy institutions have a mandate in training for filling the gap of farmers in coordinating with extension workers [16]. Farmers are not accessible for extension information to supply technologies that disturbs productivity in decreasing technology inputs and marketing. Consequently high comprehensible linkage with all dairy actors in means of extensionists are needed [3].

Milk quality and Relevance remarks

Status of milk quality: The most determinant factors that influence milk quality of dairy sector includes storage facilities, environment, milking condition, storage and transportation system until consumption, health and hygiene for dairy cattle in stock and humans in milking. The major important diseases in dairy related illness in consumption of unpasteurized milk from over 90% of reports was bacteria [34].

In dairy sector mixing solid and liquid adulterates in milk are common practice and for this constrain farmers most are adulterants [15] and the adulterates continues until consumption [3]. Farmers should get awareness training in the importance of milk quality, controlling methods and build their mind attentively to know for whom they are producing and they should get a reasonable price to ensure their consistent production [15]. In cleaning of milking equipment, personnel hygiene and washing of udder before milking decreases bacterial loads in milk and which contributes for the quality of processed milk product. However, in urban, peri-urban and rural production systems only 56%, 22% and 2% of sampled respondents wash cow’s udder before milking respectively [35].

The equipment’s that farmers most dominantly used in milk storage and marketing were plastic jerrycans which affect milk quality in contaminating through uncleaned milk fat droplets as those materials are not easy to clean due to their narrow opening [24].

In fact, after milking to safeguard milk quality cooling milk below 4°C is scientifically recommended but in Ethiopia, Haramaya district small-scale milk producers of all selected respondents didn’t use any cooling system before selling their milk [24]. There are some innovative solar ice technologies that are practiced in smallholder level for keeping milk cool that needs further improvement and also it is advisable to share other country experience for milk quality constraint mitigation [34].

Ethiopian dairy sector has a responsibility in reducing foodborne disease and giving guarantee for consumers safety with pragmatic work that ended in action beyond their policy and organizational rules. The institution EMDIDI mostly fit to organize public bodies that are working in dairy sector. However, there is mandate overlapping between dairy institutions especially EMDIDI with other institutions. The governing bodies of Ethiopian food safety consists of: Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration Authority, Feed administration and control authority and Veterinary [34].

As an exemplary model from Ethiopian dairy industry; Hiruth milk processing and production enterprise have done a great job in creating a positive relation with their milk suppliers that contributes immeasurable role for milk quality and on their hopeful productivity. This enterprise makes easy accessibility of feed for their milk suppliers in credit basis, they train them and also, they build system of payment based on their milk quality which motivates them to produce in giving much care for milk quality. In contrast, for some other processors paid similar price for all and due to this reason most smallholders adulterate and motivate for carelessness [34].

Relevance remarks: The absence of country milk quality standards in safeguarding people health is an important challenge that stresses consumers with incredible milk product and only 13% of milk processing plant practiced milk quality control and pasteurization [12]. The government of Ethiopia particularly dairy sector has a responsibility in reducing foodborne disease and giving guarantee for consumers safety with pragmatic work that ended in action beyond their policy and organizational rules [24]. As a result, the most important remarks in dairy sector to be considered primarily before applying milk quality standards especially for developing countries like Ethiopia should proclaim the accessibility and delivery of inputs, land tenure security, filling skill gap and other extension supports for milk supplier smallholder farmers, and finally giving time for exercising the possible setup of dairy productivity with structured strong supply and demand chains. There must be a comprehensible work in leading smallholders for producing trustful quality dairy products with informing policy, advising development agencies and designing dairy intervention project which are inherently given as a responsible for dairy and livestock professionals and veterinarians [34]. Most importantly before any quality standard, farmers and other dairy actors should get awareness training in the importance of milk quality, controlling methods and build their mind attentively to know for whom they are producing for and they should get a reasonable price to ensure their consistent quality production [15].

Driver drawbacks of country dairy farming

Developing countries dairy farming continues at lower level due to absence of appropriate technology, agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions of smallholder farmers. There are many opportunities in Ethiopia to grow up dairy productivity as one important country economy return [15]; however, the sector has influenced various drawbacks in several years and still it didn’t meet its potential [6]. The most shortcomings that farmers struggle in dairy production were absence of cultivation land for improved forages, absence of grazing land, inadequate veterinary service followed by Infectious and parasitic diseases, lack of AI service and low productivity of indigenous breeds [4]; and shortage of quality and quantity of feeds, absence of clean water, inaccessibility improved dairy breeds, lack of skill in farm management and husbandry practice [12]. Ethiopian high population augmentation constrains farmers to cultivate more land and purposively insisted in traction animals as the annual population growth rises in 2.9-3 percent of total population [12]. Although the current consumption rate of milk in Ethiopia is increasing around 19 liters per person but there are disparities in various areas. In addition to urbanization resulted population growth Ethiopian dairy productivity also derived by income levitation and in their lifestyle [23]. Some of dairy production drawbacks that impact Ethiopian dairying are discussed as follows;

The remoteness of dairy inputs: In milk production and processing progression, input supply places the first pathway to take place in milk production to consumption channel. These inputs include AI, veterinary service, improved forage, pasture seeds, credit services, and value-added technologies [15] and cows/heifers, bulls, feeds, milk can and cooling tank, processing plant and other processing equipment’s, improved breeds, infrastructure (roads, market, electric, water and others) and milking machine etc. [6]. The milk processing and dairy farming inputs accessibilities are varied from system to system in which in urban and peri-urban systems are more accessible than rural system [6].

Farmers wasted time for water in long distance travel which makes the dairy productivity more stressful; especially for lactating cows the water need is extremely essential. The frequency of water that livestock takes varies depending on season, water source and species; in dry season livestock takes water every day whereas in wet season takes every two days. Farmers give water priorly to dairy cows about average 25 liters of rationed per day. Although water for dairy production is highly important but continuously water was unavailable in dairy producer households [15]. Besides, in rural areas there is a limited road access for milk collection in which farmers go far a long distance in leg to reach the collection center. As farmers are influenced by inconvenient infrastructure, even though they can produce more milk but unable to sell their milk easily. This infrastructure makes milk to delay and exposes for spoilage; most importantly the absence of chilling center on potential collection area and on long distanced travel cars results milk quality problem in processing and consumption as non-qualified input gives non-qualified product [3]. The major input supply chain interventions for urban dairy were introduce improved forage seed, feeding supplementation with concentrate and the last crop residue utilization techniques. While for preurban areas the major interventions were crop residue utilization techniques, improved forage seeds, feeding supplementation with concentrate feed and supplying improved dairy cows. Most importantly improved forage seeds and crop residues were very important interventions [16].

The shortage and poor quality of feeds stresses animals in decreasing milk yield, increasing mortality rate of young calf, lengthen parturition interval and retarded growth rate [15] and to be easily a carrier of diseases and lastly productivity life span ended with high mortality rate of lactating cows [3]. The feed inadequacy influence was because of shortage of land, variability of weather condition, absence of feed processing companies and skill gap of informative technologies like silage making, hay making and urea treatment which makes feed the major challenge for dairy farmers [15]. Moreover, notably local breeds of Ethiopia are stress resistant and people still practice traditional feeding practice for them in giving less attention for productivity that constrains indigenous cows in all production systems [4]. The common problems of urban dairy producers in rank were shortage of improved feed, high feed cost and lastly shortage of land for forage development. Whereas for peri-urban constraints in rank were high feeds cost, shortage of improved feed, and inadequate extension services. From thereof the major drawbacks were shortage of improved feed and high feed cost [16]. In the constraints of feed costs, unavailability of feed and roughness compliance to their circumstance about 15.4% of farmers were interrupted from dairy business [15]. The common dairy production constraints were lack of AI and veterinary service, inadequate accessibility of feed, the higher price of feed and dairy cows [6] and skill gap of dairying and processing, absence of AI professionals, quality testing instruments, simple processing machines, maintenance service and extension services, dairy production and processing inputs are highly tensioner for the dairy sector [4]. Most importantly the technology share of developing countries from western people are proven impractical because of socio-economic and climatic differences [12]. As a result the challenge that restraint the people were low capacity of value chain actors and high demand of cross breed cows [15]. Generally, in most areas of Ethiopia such as; Hawassa, Boditi, Shashemene, Dilla, Mekelle, Jimma and Bahir Dar feed inaccessibility and costly to get is a major constraint. On the other hand, disease, large number of local breeds, shortage of land and market constraint, waste disposal are also drawbacks that influence the dairy productivity [23].

Milk losses from farm to consumption: In dairying postharvest loss reaches around 40% of produced milk from milking to consumption. This is mainly due to milking contamination, long storage time, adulteration, and lack of advanced system for transportation and distribution of milk [26].

The map of world food program shows 1 in 9 population of the world around 8.5 million people exposes in poverty and their house always cloudy in hunger. The food constrain is repetitively mentioned drawback for the aliveness of global futurity, in 2050 the population augmentation of 9 billion people needs 70% increment of food production which is a strong call for everyone in contribution for this global issue.

The most important matter that gets more attention today is significant scarce foods losses before reaching to consumer through food value chain channels. In East African countries from food post-harvest losses milk were a major loss; such as in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda shows 9.9, 14.2, 17.8, and 23.9 million US dollar losses respectively. This was because of; their poor market access, inadequate handling practice and shortage of electric power service which makes milk to form spoilage and product losses before market. For developing countries due to the absence of advanced technologies in transportation and market infrastructure, the more extended the distance exposed for more milk losses through milk channel and in addition to these farmers also loss milk due to rejection in collection center by traders and processors. The farmers consider rejected milk as a lost milk as the economic value of preparing rejected milk to cheese and butter is low in comparing to selling milk. Sometimes rejected milk opens a chance for household consumption and animals which makes economic value in uncertain. From the total milk produced 9% of milk lost in the chain and the major factors for such milk loss were milk collection center long waiting time, lack of milk handling practice, inappropriate milk carrying tools, type of transportation used, and ineffective communication with other partners [36].

Financial constraints: The payment system of farmers used both in cash and credit but they mostly used credit system and farmers have limited finance and education commonly in developing countries that constrains them in low technology acceptance and longtime adaptability [12]. The supply and demand proportion determines the price of milk but due to sociocultural factors farmers sell their milk at lower price for neighbors [12]. The financial service credit facilities are not easily accessible [6] and due to the sector higher financial problems over 90% of farmers in dairy sector were didn’t receive credit from formal credit institutions [15]. The constraint of high requirement of capital for smallholder dairy producers mostly influence women farmers [3] and in general dairy sector financial limitation restricts to achieve their common goals and maintain their production almost without promotion [15].

Animal health and veterinary service: The Most dairy problems resulted from both considered and unconsidered abandoned constraints and which it births other serious influence in dairy productivity. The factors that come from managements like housing, feeding and veterinary service causes cows to be offensive, unhealthy, unwholesome and ended their life productivity unsuccessfully [15]. Animal health issues are more influencing constraint for Ethiopian dairy sector due to their extremely poor feeding practice which decreases fertility rate, diseases resistance ability and finally increases mortality and morbidity rate [3]. Besides, in tropical areas internal parasites like liver fluke and round worm and also flies and ticks are commonly existing. Thereof and other parasites existence is probably due to lack of dairy farm herd management like feeding method, waste management, calf feeding and care [12]. The inaccessibility of veterinary service, transportation difficulties and veterinary professional shortage stresses dairy sector in funding for loss of animals in diseases. The outcome of this veterinary low performance comes from government monopolized service and this is because of the less attention of livestock sector [4]. The disease and parasite of dairy cows affects their development depending on their management status and ecological zones [6]. In contributing for development of the country universities should built social and technical skills in research with well-equipped facilities to solve the major dairy production constraints of extension service and research support in light of teachers to students. Although Ethiopia has many rivers, lakes and ocean water sources but due to lack of wisely use of water resource there is a scarce of water in many rural areas that depress and expose for disease in dairy farming [12]. In general, for better dairy productivity an experience of various countries like India and Kenya shows that private veterinary service is extremely necessary to serve the need of dairy farms energetically without any interruption [15].

The institutional boundaries: The households want to improve availability of service timely in well trained personnel in the value chain [16] in this way for the advancement of dairy farming institutions are needed to organize and integrate farmer training centers facility, milk collection center, milk processing and marketing facilities, credit institutions, cooperative groups, research and extension services [12]. The main purpose for establishment of cooperatives in dairy is to improve (technical efficiency and bargaining power), reduce transaction cost and to minimize market risks that farmers face [37]. The organized and strongly advanced coordination of institutions in the supply chain increases the business profitability with consistent productivity [38]. Dairy actors of Dire Dawa dairy industries has a weak linkage because of unorganized structure of their value chain [39].

There were four most institutional interventions in urban households; establish new input-output dairy producer led cooperative, make linkage between brewery industry and flour factory, improving credit service, and improving AI and veterinary service. Similarly, the four most interventions for peri-urban households were; established new input-output dairy producerled- cooperative, improving credit services, improving artificial insemination and veterinary services, and improving extension services. Generally, in both urban and pr-urban areas establishing new input-output dairy producer-led-cooperative were the first major intervention [16]. The limited dairy enterprises with the dominancy of local cows in low milk yield restrains dairy sector to have higher milk demand and lower milk supply [15]. The dairy sector cooperatives were very weak to upgrade dairy productivity [3] and most importantly they lack technical knowledge, marketing skill, value chain linkage; and are inefficient and ineffective [6].

Generally, the institutional concern major dairying and processing constraints were shortage of processing equipment supply and its high cost, low market access, absence of enough urban and pre-urban dairy producer led cooperatives, poor market linkage of producer with value chain actors [16]. So that to have powerful dairy sector enterprise the governments of Ethiopia should focus and handle farmers in dairy cooperatives to have enough information access for nutrition, market, breeding, hygiene, health, milk handling and transportation; and there must be a way that facilitate farmers and dairy cooperatives to have a vertical relationship with extensionists [15].

Breeding and genetics: The crossbreed composition of dairy cows had 25, 50 and 70 % composition of exotic blood level. Mostly rural system blood level less than 50% but for urban and periurban system it reaches 50-75% as the blood level increases from rural to urban [22]. In peri-urban system major oxen have > 75% exotic inheritance in which they use for natural mating [40]. The major restriction of dairy production was primarily low genetic potential and secondly poor husbandry management practice [16]. In diary production even though, different farmers have different breed preference, mostly crossbreed were better due to high milk yield but unsuccessful in rural production system due to their weak management with cow’s poor resistance for disease. On the other hand, in choosing local cows they have a depleted measure in productivity because of their low milk yield potential [15] which is a main challenge for the diary sector [3]. Although there is a potential for increasing indigenous cows productivity unless lack of management mostly feed insufficiency makes local cows unrecoverable [3].

The country dairy policy and forthcoming outlooks

The country dairy policy: by definition policy is the guideline that formulates, facilitates and transforms the dairy sector to participate dairy actors equally for common benefit in common standardized regulating system for conducting a positive working environment [15]. The outcome of today veterinary low performance comes from government monopolized service and their less attention of livestock sector. Moreover, there are administrative, financial and logistical problems in government for service providers to deliver time sensitive issues for farmers like Artificial insemination or natural service, vaccination and deworming; due to this reason, they are limited to serve in some regions [4]. The country as a whole hasn’t any policy that have applied for milk quality for safeguarding consumers health; only 13% of milk processing plant practiced milk quality control and pasteurization [12] and the chain actors have not any chance to talk each other about their value chain restraint issues as the dairy sector has not articulated applicable policy in dairy product marketing, processing and quality assurance at zonal as well as national level [15]. On the other hand, outside imported milk share influences the prices of country producers and the country producer marketing system also impact diary production as informal system dominates and leads around 88% over formal market [4]. Thereof all dairy constraints are the result of the dairy sector policy nonappearance and in which dairy policy increases uncertainty of future dairy productivity unless the sector policy stands to organize, guide and control the system. In general, the nonappearance of Ethiopian dairy sector policy for dairy producer farmers, processors and other dairy actors Weakens dairy production with the higher milk demand-supply variation in the country population [41].

Dairy production forthcoming outlooks: The country dairy sector today categorized as transition level in shifting way to market oriented economy; as opened market, participation of the private sector and advancement of smallholder dairy are the main features of this phase. The increment of population and expansion of urbanization stirred and drives the outlook of Ethiopian forthcoming dairy productivity. In population augmentation, it is predictable that dairy industry will have a major performance in distributing milk for children and younger generation. The Establishment of dairy industry with strong extension service and actively motivate farmers in dairy productivity is advisable for diary sector [3]. The country holds diverse topographic and climatic conditions [4], adequate land resource, favorable climate with high livestock population, suitable agro ecology, risk free environment for work, high yielding disease resistant breed, cheap labor force, and strong support from institutions, universities, colleges and agricultural extension workers and this all facilities open an opportunity for smallholder farmer to use (land, labor and feed source), to generate income and attract foreigners for investment [3].

The average milk production is significantly increasing that supports the country economy return [16] and for poverty alleviation and improvement of nutrition [3]. In the continual country population augmentation milk demand increases and it will open more employment opportunity following with the increment of milk production to satisfy their milk demand [6]; This chance of dairy farming employment opportunities and its income generation makes the sector more imperative on today and tomorrow smallholder farmers [8].

Investment prospects: in Ethiopian dairy sector there is a limited monetary capital, equipment and technology capacity for small and medium processors. In behind this to increases their productivity some of them wants a joint venture either with local private investors or foreigners. The dairy sector most importantly has open opportunities for investment in feed processing, modern milk processing supply of inputs for groups of large farmers, milk testing and other full processing equipment supply and maintenance, breeding technology and artificial insemination, packaging and leasing, marketing and other advisory services. The limited accessibility of milk collection center is the major constraint for most Ethiopian milk post-harvest loses today as it has inadequate contact with producers. Because this gap, the investment opportunities are open in establishment of milk transport distribution facility, cold chains and milk collection center. Furthermore, most private and cooperatives lacks collection center and even available collection centers are not in good upright position as the system uses inferior containers and risky mode of transportation substantial amount of milk spoiled and losses in transport [3]. This all shows the existence of dairy sector opportunities for investment.

Conclusion and Recommendation

This paper mainly covers Ethiopian dairy cattle production systems, production and reproductivity performance, constraints, policy, forthcoming outlook and other dairy related status of the country. Dairy production is one of the major sources of population livelihood for the country which helps them to not fall in poverty. However, in practice the government of Ethiopia didn’t have effective and functional policy that can control and lead the dairy sector in milk quality, dairy product marketing and processing and their devotion is still unexperienced and clueless.

The empowerment of dairy sector enterprises helps dairying to be influential and this will occur when the country government focus and handle farmers in coordinate with dairy cooperatives to have enough information access for nutrition, market, breeding, hygiene, health, milk handling and transportation and to join in a vertical relationship with extensionists and their actors.

The higher coverage of local cows and their poor production performance influences people milk satisfaction in the increasing demand of milk and milk products and the country economic growth. Therefore, facilitate dairying resources for better management and crossing indigenous cattle to use improved cows are the best advisable options for the sector. Most importantly, this government weakness constrains farmers for incapable to access land for forage production and dairying further expansion. As a result, the country higher cattle population declined by inadequate feed availability in restricted land for pasture establishment. Moreover, dairying in the tropics were influenced by disease and parasites due to their weak dairy farm herd management. The inaccessibility to veterinary service, transportation difficulties and veterinary professional shortage stresses dairy sector in funding for loss of animals in diseases. The outcome of this veterinary low performance comes from government monopolized service. Therefore, generally the availability of favorable policy and strong extension service is highly imperative for farmers adopting power of improved dairy cows, dairying performance, accessibility of resources and for the higher increment of employed workforces.

Recommendations

a) The continuity of dairy production hangs on the hand of land influences; in this way the government should give attention for the dairy sector and resolve the dairy farmers land inaccessibility.

b) It is desirable for governments to build conducive policy environment that serve equally for investors, country producers and other actors in milk production; in following this it’s also advisable for sector governmental extensionists to give a support for smallholder farmers in filling their financial and skill gap as less extension service have derived in dairy sector.

c) The seasonal variation of milk marketing affects farmers in lowering milk price. Therefore, it’s important to have a contractual agreement with milk collector and processor for giving guarantee in sustainable marketing for producers.

d) In improving feed shortage of producer farmers work with extensionists and build solution maker team in awareness creation for making easy feeds such as crop residue treatment, urea treatment and other supplementary feeds are strongly recommended. In addition, planting the mixture of grass legumes and fodder trees, wisely utilization of crop residues can increase the chance of farmers to raise dairy production by decreasing feed constraint.

e) The government to be succeed in the country dairy production setting motive extension workers with appropriate salary is primarily worthwhile. In addition to their salary, extensionists knowledge should be practically measured to be able to demonstrate farmers particularly in simple feed processing trails, hygiene (personnel and animals), calf rearing, feeding, market information, value chain and the like dairying experiences.

f) As experience of India and Kenya private veterinary service is extremely necessary to serve dairy farms energetically without any interruption, therefore, there should be a way to experience other countries dairy experience that will see under the ground beyond looking country professional’s experience in media.

g) For using unemployed professions and both genders in dairy sector; government of Ethiopia should give attention in extending dairy farming for societal gender issue as dairy business more dominated by male genders and most importantly the government also advisable to focus in widening chances of getting employment opportunities in dairy business for graduated professions and other unemployed people of the country.

h) In dairy production to exemplify others boldening a model producer and processor is very important. In some milk processing enterprises for their milk supplier farmers, they make easy accessibility of feed in credit basis, training and also, they build system of payment based on their milk quality that motivates them to produce in giving much care for milk quality. This way of controlling milk quality is more advisable without the affection of farmers in price and their relation will be believable and consistent.

i) Farmers should train for the importance of milk quality, controlling methods and build their mind attentively to know for whom they are working for, as farmers are the most milk adulterants and they should get quality instruments in reasonable price to ensure milk quality. Consistently there must be appropriate and parallel price in between milk producer farmers, collectors and dairy processor industries.

j) Finally, and most importantly for the building influential dairying in the country the government of Ethiopia should thoughtfully focus and handle all dairy actors to have enough information access, skill of dairying, access for marketing, accessibility for dairy inputs, possible support in extensionists and creating a way to have enough cooperative relationship between producer farmers and other actors.

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[tri-nationsmigration]

11,000 Employers Desperate To Import Fifty Three,000 Migrant Staff Because The Labour Drought Hits Enterprise Progress

If you'd like to obtain monetary recommendation, you could get skilled recommendation from a registered monetary adviser. You and your family may be eligible for everlasting residency under New Zealand business migration schemes in case you immigration to australia from south africa have a background in funding actions or a report in business administration. New Zealand Migration International is the main specialist in providing essentially the most complete and up to date visa companies and immigration options.

While it's unlikely for this visa, you might have to pay different prices for well being checks, police certificates and biometrics. If you need to stay in Australia as a everlasting visa holder, you can choose to use for a permanent visa. Becoming an Australian everlasting resident by holding a everlasting visa might let you access extraentitlements. As a New Zealander holding and SCV it is not needed to use for or be granted permanent residence in Australia. The SCV permits a NZ citizen to visit, study, reside and work in Australia lawfully so long as that person remains a NZ citizen. But he stated current changes to immigration coverage together with the suspension of the parent visa class will doubtless reduce the numbers coming from Asian nations together with China, India and the Philippines.

You may also be required to confirm whether you currently have a felony or disciplinary document, and whether or not there are criminal or disciplinary proceedings pending towards you. Can provide evidence that you've been participating in a formal course of university-level physiotherapy study , during the three years instantly prior to software for registration. But the 39-year-old, who's earns $19.54 an hour as a home chief in an Albany well being care facility, said adjustments to Immigration rules will make that an "unimaginable immigration to australia from south africa dream". Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said the changes have been geared toward rising the quality of migrants, and not reducing numbers. Spoonley mentioned high value immigrants from the UK and US will stay and essential supply of skilled migrants, and expected the numbers to pattern upwards through the mid and later a half of 2017. "Filipino staff are filling essential niches within the New Zealand labour market, including within the health and farming sectors, particularly dairying," Spoonley mentioned.

Applications from abroad personnel are open for all three Services for chosen trades and at chosen rank levels. Personnel who don't meet these standards won't be processed as a end result of high volume of candidates. Please notice that any Offer of Service is topic to meeting immigration requirements for australia and maintaining the health, health and security standards prior to and upon enlistment. You will want to undergo a full medical examination with your current army doctor and have all medical forms completed.

Unless she has a legal record she won't be disallowed to enter Australia. They are still granting New Zealand citizens with a SCV Visa automatically when they enter Australia. Good luck along with your move and please do post another comment on movingtoaustralia.co.nz if you find something other guests would be interested in knowing. I lived in brisbane, QLD for 23 years until 2002 when I moved back to NZ to care for a sick mom.

You shall be a granted customer visa in your arrival in New Zealand providing you meet commonplace requirements . The customer visa will remain valid for up to three months out of your arrival. If you're planning on visiting Uganda and/or Rwanda when travelling to Kenya then you can apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa which will cowl all three countries. The visa allows multiple entry into these international locations and is legitimate for ninety days.

You’ll discover some issues value less in New Zealand, some more - particularly objects which have to come back lengthy distances. But usually, the costs of dwelling listed under are comparable to different western-style OECD nations. There are plenty of totally different sorts of housing available in New Zealand, from good city flats to rural ‘lifestyle’ blocks or seaside cottages.

[nichromepackaging]

NICHROME INDIA AT PROPAK AFRICA

On 8th March 2022, the world's industry headed to Johannesburg to visit Propak Africa 2022. Propak Africa is Africa's leading packaging, printing, food processing, plastics and labelling trade exhibition. It’s the place to see latest innovations and technologies, packaging initiatives and cutting-edge machinery, products, consumables, systems and services.

Whether as an exhibitor or a visitor, Propak Africa offers 4 exciting days to meet knowledgeable exhibitors, network with suppliers and service providers, source cutting-edge products & technologies, and enjoy live demos, free seminars and more.

Nichrome at Propak Africa

Nichrome India was at Propak Africa, with a stall to display its offerings, network with industry representatives, and showcase its expertise in packaging.

Nichrome is already a well-known name in Africa and other parts of the world. A highly reputable packaging machine manufacturer, with its own impressive design and manufacturing capabilities, Nichrome has presence in 45+ countries of the world and over 10,000 installations. So, their participation in Propak Africa certainly helped to expand their footprint in Africa and neighbouring countries.

Nichrome and Africa

Nichrome is committed to Africa and to its industry. For the last 25 years, they have partnered with food, pharma and non-food manufacturers and marketers to enhance their packaging and retail value.

Nichrome has several achievements to their credit. They helped to successfully launch oil and drinking yogurt in flexible pouches and reintroduced milk pouches in Kenya. They have developed and installed rice plants and efficiently handled turnkey mini dairy plants in Kenya. Nichrome also introduced the penta seal pouch in Africa.

Today, they have a long list of esteemed clients and many successful projects in Africa. The aim is to go further and deeper, growing their reach and improving their support network so they can serve more and more industries across Africa.

Infinite possibilities with Nichrome

For startups, medium sized businesses or large MNCs, for existing or emerging applications, Nichrome offers infinite possibilities in packaging solutions. That too, with one-stop convenience.

With Nichrome’s strong thrust on R&D, they partner with customers, study their market and specific application, and innovate integrated solutions that deliver relevant advantages.

It could be a small variation in a pouch format or customization of an existing machine; a pro-actively developed filling system or consultancy & system design for a complete packaging plant - Nichrome has the expertise, capabilities and innovation to transform productivity and enrich customer relationships in endless ways.

Nichrome’s packaging expertise

Since Nichrome developed India's first indigenous milk packaging machine in 1977, they have been at the forefront of next-generation packaging technologies; a brand trusted for its rich legacy of pioneering innovation, extensive domain knowledge and manufacturing competency in packaging systems.

Nichrome’s expertise covers the complete spectrum of food, non-food and pharma applications. Snack packaging machine, milk packaging machine, powder filling machine, sugar packaging machine, oil filling machine, pulses & grain packaging machine, bottle filling lines, tin filling lines, mini dairy plants, tablet/capsule packaging lines, blister packaging – the list of Nichrome’s offerings can go on and on. Nichrome also offers filling systems and integrated packaging systems for a wide range of applications.

Nichrome has also partnered with renowned international companies for some technologies, especially for the Pharmaceutical sector. For enterprises big and small, for applications existing and emerging, Nichrome offers infinite possibilities in integrated, automated packaging solutions - as they partner with customers through the complete lifecycle, offering application-specific solutions, backed by dependable service and support.

Conclusion

In case you missed the Nichrome stall at Propak Africa, please contact Nichrome India directly, to discover their latest, cost-effective solutions for Africa’s industry. The leading manufacturer of packaging machines India, Nichrome has proved itself overseas as well with presence in 45 countries and more than 10,000 successful installations worldwide. So, customers in Africa or anywhere can expect top-of-the-line technology and reliable service at any location.

[farmerstrend]

Why the Kenyan Government is Betting on South Asian Water Buffalos for Food Security

The Kenyan government has officially recognized water buffalo as a food animal, opening new opportunities for meat and dairy production. Learn how this move will impact farmers, consumers, and the livestock industry. Kenya is set to introduce water buffalos for meat and milk production. Discover the benefits, regulations, and how farmers can capitalize on this game-changing livestock sector…

[foodsindustry]

Cassava Market Growth, Size, Competitive Situation 2021, Trend Analysis, Product Scope, Industry, Factors, Share Estimation 2024

Market Scenario

The global Cassava Market Revenue 2020 is poised to mature at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2019 to 2024 to acquire a market value of USD 4.5 billion by the end of 2024. 

Market Highlights

The increasing demand in the food and feed industry for cassava flour is driving development in the global cassava market. Cassava flour is gaining recognition globally as an alternative to wheat flour and other gluten-based flours. Due to its higher nutritional content, the need for cassava flour is growing in the global meal market due to its higher use in the household as well as in industrial purposes. Strong demand among customers for bakery, confectionery, and snacks is boosting the selling of cassava products, affecting the growth of the cassava industry globally. Cassava flour also has a wide variety of applications including in the biofuels, laundry and animal feed industries which is further propelling the cassava industry growth. The demand for cassava flour is strong on the global flour market, owing to its very low gluten content relative to other flour types, while facing higher demand due to the rising acceptance of vegan and low gluten diets. Thus, owing to a rise in cassava flour production, it is expected that higher investments will be made in the near future on the global cassava industry.

Increased understanding of the health benefits of cassava is often seen as the main driving force in the development of the global cassava industry. The global market for cassava is increasing rapidly, leading to increased demand from most countries and expanded growth opportunities. Moreover, the increasing focus on R&D is projected to boost the cassava market over the forecast period. To get more info: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/press-release/cassava-industry

Segmental Analysis

The global cassava market has been analyzed based form, application, category, and region.

The global market has been divided, based on category, into organic and conventional.

The global cassava market has been bifurcated, based on form, into dry and liquid.

The application segment of the global market comprises of animal feed, food & beverages, and others. The food & beverage segment is further classified as bakery and confectionary, beverages, dairy and frozen dessert, and sweet and savory snacks.

Regional Overview

The global market for cassava has been analysed for four main regions — North America, Europe , Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.

North America is projected to see a rapid growth rate, owing to the region's many primary foreign players from various sectors.

Growing recognition and urbanisation in the Middle Eastern and African countries is projected during the forecast period to increase consumption of raw packaged food and establishment of food businesses.

In the forecast timeframe the Asia-Pacific region is projected to dominate the cassava industry. Growing demand for cassava flour and other by-products made from cassava is driving growth in the region's cassava industry. The cassava is commonly used in the food industry and also in the kitchen.

Owing to the high consumption of snacks and baked goods as comfort food the European cassava market is expected to record the highest CAGR through the forecast period. Furthermore, in the European region demand for cassava flour is growing due to its rising intake of processed food. The varieties of cassava by-products made available by industry players will fuel regional demand growth. 

Competitive Dashboard

Cargill Incorporated (US), Ingredion Inc. (US), Venus Starch Suppliers (India), Grain Millers, Inc. (US), Parchem fine & specialty chemicals (US), Psaltry International Limited (Nigeria), Dadtco Philafrica B.V. (Netherlands), Roquette Frères (France), Archer Daniels Midland Company (US), Woodland Foods (US), Tate & Lyle Plc (UK), Mhogo Foods Ltd. (Kenya), American Key Food Products Inc. (US), Agrideco Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Vietnam), and Otto's Naturals (New Jersey) are some of the eminent players in the global cassava market.

[adalidda]

Illustration Photo: Through the creation of solar powered micro-grids, Maasai of the Moduli district in northern Tanzania are receiving power in their mud huts inside their bomas (corralled community). The solar power is providing life-saving water purification, a shared refrigerator for food and medicines, a computer for the community, and lights for the cow and goat corrals to frighten away the hyenas. (credits: USAID / Flickr Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0))

Call for applications: AECF Innovation Fund - Support #Innovations in #CleanEnergy technologies for #Africa’s #RuralCommunities, #CleanCooking #Minigrid #SolarPV, Innovations for #PUE, for #Companies in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Sierra Leone

The Innovation Fund is a component of the AECF's Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies Sub-Saharan Africa Programme (REACT SSA) a US$61 million project funded by the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA).

The programme seeks to reduce poverty through a transformational increase in the use of renewable energy by off-grid households in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on innovations originating out of Western and Southern Africa.

Through the Innovation Fund, AECF aims to support businesses and entrepreneurs to validate market fit and potential of innovations in technological products, software, business models and distribution models that contribute to increasing access to clean cooking solutions and productive use energy for people living in rural areas and particularly for the poor.

The fund will support the testing of new innovations or extreme iterations to existing innovations to validate market fit and potential including

Scalable supply chain models for providing clean cooking solutions (especially in rural areas). Acknowledging that supply chains for cleaner fuels lack the necessary scale to reach many rural communities, the fund seeks to support supply chain innovations that can for example address demand uncertainty by matching demand and supply. Alternative clean cooking technologies (stoves and fuels) including mini-grid and solar PV powered electric cooking Business models and technological innovations for Productive Use of Energy (PUE) appliances such as milling, threshing, grating, specific value chains (poultry, dairy, and coffee) and commercial scale refrigeration. Solutions that narrow the energy access affordability gap for clean cooking and productive use for example sustainable consumer financing models that could bring Tier 3 appliances and above within reach of a larger share of the population. Innovations that can be seamlessly incorporated into prevailing or growing business and distribution models (such as PayGo and 'tool and fuel' business models) are encouraged.

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant needs to have a minimum viable product/service (i.e. a product/service that has already gone through a prototyping phase). The applicant must have undertaken market research demonstrating the need for the innovation in the selected geography. It is desirable for the applicant to demonstrate sales and/or a tangible demand of the proposed innovation. Please note, our investments are not intended to support any technology/innovation development.  

Eligible Applicants

Only private companies with a direct interest in commercialising the innovation being tested can be eligible lead applicants, however applicants are free to partner with non-private sector players for the implementation of their projects. The innovation fund seeks to support targeted, output-based activities that can be completed within 24 months.

Funding and Co-financing

Between US$100,000-US$200,000 per company and up to $300,000 for exceptional innovations.

The co-financing requirement is a minimum of 30% of the project cost (the innovation fund will only cover up to 70% of the total project cost). In-kind contributions are acceptable.

Application Deadline: 26th November 2021

Check more https://adalidda.com/posts/TG79nNLkpaYdwbGsF/aecf-innovation-fund-support-innovations-in-clean-energy

[newscheckz]

Tapping mineral and vitamin supplements to boost dairy farming in Kenya

New Post has been published on https://newscheckz.com/tapping-mineral-and-vitamin-supplements-to-boost-dairy-farming-in-kenya/

Tapping mineral and vitamin supplements to boost dairy farming in Kenya

Jacktone Agona

For many years, dairy farming has provided food, income, alternative energy sources such as biogas, social prestige, and status in local communities.

It is estimated that dairy farming composes of at least a third of the total value of agricultural outputs and this share has been increasing over time.

In Kenya, dairy farming produces over 3.5 billion litres of milk a year. Kenyans are amongst the highest milk consumers in the developing world, consuming an estimated 145 litres per person per year, more than five times milk consumption in other East African countries.

According to the National Dairy Development Policy, by 2030 Kenya is projected to become a net dairy exporter.

The dairy sector in Kenya is important to the economy as it contributes to 12% of the agricultural gross domestic product. Kenya has about 700,000 smallholder farmers, owning on average 0.4-1.6 hectares of land, and 1-3 cows, and producing about 80% of the national output.

However, despite the favourable potential, there are several issues that constrain the development of the dairy sector in the country.

To optimize efficiency of available farm resources, caution needs to be considered when investing in dairy farming.

Taking pre-caution will help dairy farming investors achieve sound health, good animal welfare, social responsiveness, high milk production and improved cost control, all that defines a profitable dairy farm.

Dairy farming methods have remained unchanged, and this has contributed to low productivity of animals mainly attributed to diseases such as milk fever, mastitis, and lameness.

According to Science Direct, the shortage of crossbreed dairy cows, inadequate animal feed resources both in terms of quality and quantity, poor management, financial illiteracy, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of veterinary service provision has had a negative outcome to dairy farmers as their inputs cannot be equated with their outputs, and in-turn this affects their income and productivity levels.

To achieve desired results, dairy farmers are quickly realizing the importance of changing farming practices for their livestock general wellbeing.

A spotlight on animal mineral and vitamin supplements has become increasingly essential, particularly regarding increasing milk production, animal health, supporting bone development, immune system function, muscle functions, and nervous system function.

For a dairy animal, research by the Mississippi State University has proven that the livestock require trace mineral supplementation daily which will lead to good claw health reducing common hoof diseases.

Furthermore, according to the research, sufficient consumption of minerals including calcium, zinc, phosphorus, and potassium are critical for muscle contraction, nerve signal transmission and enzymatic reactions.

Deficiencies in these minerals can result to still births and more diseases that will affect the productivity of the livestock.

With the cost of animal health services provided being a challenge across the country, the costs of drugs on the high, while veterinary and diagnostic services not being readily available or accessible to the dairy farmer, there is a need to find a multifaceted solution that the dairy farmer requires to meet their operational needs.

Global Nutrition Solutions (GNS) has formulated GNS Bovita and Maziwa Block range of products in Kenya; a mineral and vitamin supplement prepared to meet the needs of dairy cattle with a focus on improving milk production, fertility, and the general health of livestock.

Through a range of products and solutions like GNS Bovita and Maziwa Block dairy farmers can now meet the most important aspects in the commercial viability of the dairy farm. From quality, affordability, and formulation.

These products facilitate and drive a healthy dairy sector that will enable farmers to be more productive and competitive in industry meeting not only local, but international standards.

Delivering vitamins and minerals to dairy animals involves commitment, coordination, planning and cooperation, all held together by strong, healthy, and durable practices.

The benefit: cost ratio of animal supplementation is unmatched by most health or economic intervention and is critical for improved milk production.

As the sector is evolving, there is need for the right nutritional supplements that have a formulation that is up to date, with components that are well balanced so that the key elements can work together to achieve best results for dairy farmers.

The GNS range of supplements is distributed by iProcure, GNS’s sole distributor in the East Africa region.

Jacktone Agona is an animal health expert and project manager iProcure

[thisdaynews]

Anti-Open Grazing Law: Herders Want 750,000 Square Metres Of Land In Delta, Over my dead body it will not happen.-- Gov Okowa

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/anti-open-grazing-law-herders-want-750000-square-metres-of-land-in-delta-over-my-dead-body-it-will-not-happen-gov-okowa/

Anti-Open Grazing Law: Herders Want 750,000 Square Metres Of Land In Delta, Over my dead body it will not happen.-- Gov Okowa

Following move to boycott open eating of cows in Delta State, the state part of Cattle Dealers Association yesterday requested somewhere around 30,000 square meters of land in every one of the 25 neighborhood government spaces of the state, totalling 750,000 square meters.

The steers sellers need the terrains assigned for animals reproducing and showcases across the state. However, the state government in a quick response, said lands for farming in the state are available to be purchased and encouraged the sellers to purchase for their business.

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The improvement went ahead a day youth pioneers in the South East, under the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, requested the Department from State Services, DSS, to create the dangerous herders who killed four ranchers and harmed six others in an assault on the agrarian local area of Opanda at Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State on Monday.

The adolescents likewise asked the South-South lead representatives to implement the prohibition on open touching to keep away from individuals accepting them as unserious people.

This is even as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, yesterday, communicated shock over the assault by speculated executioner herders on Opando in Enugu State.

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Dairy cattle brokers request 750,000 sqr meters of land

The Cattle Traders Association, which made the interest during a formal conference on a bill to boycott open eating in the state named, “Bill for a Law to accommodate the Regulation of Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing and to Prohibit Open Grazing and related issue in Delta State,” said the arrangement of terrains by the state government will help them stop open nibbling.

At the conference coordinated by the Delta State House of Assembly’s joint advisory group on extraordinary bills and that of agribusiness and normal assets, the relationship of dairy cattle vendors in a notice endorsed by the director, Alhaji Musa Shuwa, deplored that the 5,000 square meters assigned as munching region contained in the draft bill were terribly deficient.

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Shuwa clarified that as of now, the affiliation kept up with animals (dairy cattle) markets in seven towns in the state, adding that the littlest was arranged on a package of land estimating around 4,500 square meters, while the greatest was around 7,000 square meters.

He said: “This is just for the business sectors. Likewise, each market takes conveyance of at the very least 800 cows each week. Our individuals scarcely sell all their cows at the market, henceforth the need to take care of the steers by munching.

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“With the intendment of the draft of this bill being to boycott open eating, our deferential view to include dairy cattle inside encased eating (to farm) region would imply that an enormous space of land is required for this reason.

“While we recognize that the 5,000 square meters referenced in Section 8 (2a) is just in the base, it is our unassuming perspective that even in the base, 5,000 square meters of land may not be the best beginning stage.

“We, accordingly, prescribe that to essentially fulfill having an abattoir, veterinary center, domesticated animals market, managerial office and security post as given in Section 2 (b) to (g), Section 2 (a) ought to give that the assigned region will contain at least 30,000 square meters of land.”

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Administrator of the joint council, Mrs. Pat Ajudua, had prior at the formal proceeding, clarified that the formal proceeding was to accumulate the contributions of people in general, especially significant partners in the creation of the proposed law.

Anyone who needs to farm should purchase land — Delta Govt

Notwithstanding, responding to the steers sellers’ interest, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said: “All things considered, they are conversing with the legislators yet the truth of the matter is that we have made unmistakably anyone who needs to do farming should purchase land and afterward start his farm.

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“Assuming I need to do poultry business, I get a spot, pay for it and start my poultry ranch. For the individuals who are doing piggery, they get a spot and start the piggery. Assuming you need to do dairy cattle business, get your farm yet assuming the Federal Government needs to help individuals to get a farm, no issue similarly as they are doing FADAMA for certain developments.

“In the event that the Federal Government additionally needs to have farming helped program, there isn’t anything amiss with it.

“The matter of creature farming and animal raising is likewise the matter of our kin, if they are Fulani. In any case, for anyone to imagine that the public authority has that sort of land to give isn’t accurate. The neighborhood government in our framework doesn’t claim land. The grounds have a place with people and families.

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“On the off chance that the lone land I have is only 1,000 square meters, will the neighborhood government request that I give it away? What’s more, maybe, that is the lone land I need to one or the other form or homestead. Will the nearby government advise me, this land we are taking it from you, for me to do what from there on? That is the reason individuals should be sensible in making this sort of interest.”

. S’East young people charge DSS to create dangerous herders at Enugu people group

In a comparative turn of events, adolescents who claimed that four people were killed during the assault on Nimbo people group in Enugu State, said somewhere around 10 others were all the while missing, while six supported different levels of wounds.

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They additionally charged South East lead representatives to uphold the prohibition on open munching of steers in the area, as articulated by Southern lead representatives in their gathering in Asaba, Delta State, around two months prior.

In an articulation endorsed by the President-General, and Secretary-General of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem, and Comrade Kanice Igwe, the adolescents approached Nimbo, and other South-East young people to assemble themselves and watchman their networks against any type of attack by herders.

While approaching the worldwide local area to go to the guide of Christians and southern Nigerians who they guaranteed had been purportedly set apart for elimination, the gathering approached Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to shape a solid security outfit to watch line networks against interruption by herders.

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The assertion read: “The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the peak socio-political youth association in the South-East geo-political zone, censures in most grounded terms the assault by deadly herders/fear mongers that prompted the demise of four people and missing of 10 at Opanda in Nimbo people group, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu state.

“This is the second time in 2021 that dangerous psychological oppressors marching as herders are assaulting this very local area for not permitting the lethal fear mongers to take care of their cows in their ranch settlements.

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“The Department of State Services, DSS that is excellent in assaulting the homes of activists and killing their allies should move right into it and capture those executioner herders and carry them to court to deal with indictments for homicide and different offenses submitted against humankind.

“The law, they say isn’t a respecter of people. Is the law presently regarding murde-rous herders fear mongers that up till this second, we are yet to know about the capture of those executioners?

”The DSS that has the ability to go right to Kenya and steal Nnamdi Kanu, and who moved from Abuja to Ibadan to assault the home of Sunday Adeyemi (otherwise known as Sunday Igboho) ought to likewise move promptly to catch the deadly herders that killed individuals of Nimbo people group on Monday, July 26, 2021, by 2 am.

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“We approach the great individuals of Nimbo people group and different networks in the South East international zone to promptly prepare their adolescents and watchman their networks to keep away from a rehash of what simply occurred at Nimbo people group.

“The legislative head of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, ought to quickly shape a solid and dynamic native security outfit to monitor bordertowns of Enugu State to deflect another intrusion of the state.

“The legislative leaders of Southern Nigeria should stamp their feet on the ground and authorize the restriction on open touching, in any case no one will treat them in a serious way later on.

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“What occurred at Nimbo people group happened on the grounds that the head of Miyetti Allah straightforwardly taught his individuals to dismiss the goal of Southern state lead representatives restricting open touching.

”The executioner herders/fear based oppressors ought to be captured for the killings at Nimbo people group in Enugu State. This audacious frenzy of killing blameless Nigerians for rejecting dairy cattle possessed by herders to benefit from ranchers’ yields should stop forthwith.

We, subsequently, approach the global local area to go to the guide of Christians and Southern Nigerians who have been set apart for killing without the central government effectively stop the slaughter of guiltless ranchers and Christians.”

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Ohanaeze young people express concern, request that tactical fish out culprits.

Additionally responding to the killings at Nimbo yesterday, Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, in an articulation by its President-General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike and the Secretary-General, Comrade Obinna Achuonye, expressed that the assault was unsuitable.

The Igbo bunch additionally expressed it was presently an ideal opportunity for the military to demonstrate its fortitude and capture the culprits.

The assertion read: “We woke up once more to another blow out of killings by raiding herders. This isn’t the first run through Uzo-Uwani is encountering this sort of bloodletting, as we have not forgotten in a rush how Nimbo in the space went under a comparative lethal assault, leaving scores dead.

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“Presently, we have a rehash of such abhorrent and obnoxious killings. We are in profound torment, we are in distress over this lamentable report.

“This is the sort of circumstance that required IPOB’s arrangement of Eastern Security Network, ESN, as they observed weakly throughout the long term and our kin were being butchered.”

While thumping security offices for doing minimal notwithstanding the careless killings by speculated executioner herders, the adolescent gathering said: “It is very lamentable that Nigeria security agence