By John Odyek
A team from Algeria has been in Uganda to observe the quality, quantities in the production of Uganda’s milk and milk products. Algeria is targeting importing milk from Uganda and so far they have given green light to the imports, according to officials from the Dairy Development Authority (DDA).
According to the authority, Uganda is currently producing 3.85m litres of milk production and the consumption is only 800m litres. This leaves surplus milk that calls for increased local consumption through milk bars, exports, processing milk into yogurt, chocolates, casein and powder.
Following concerns about aflatoxins being found in Uganda’s milk products, the Dairy Development Authority (DDA) has assured Ugandans that the milk is free from aflatoxins.
Agnes Audax Baguma the acting director technical services DDA while appearing before Parliament’s committee on agriculture, animal industry and fisheries on Thursday said that there was a $500m (sh1.8 trillion) market for milk in Algeria. The committee is conducting hearings on the Animal Feed Bill 2023.
Baguma assured MPs that Uganda’s milk was safe and free from the toxin and any contamination. Baguma said that over 90% of cows in Uganda pick their own feeds from the natural environment. While 10% feed on processed feeds which can be affected by contaminants. She said the level of contaminants in processed feeds is extremely if any and have not reached above accepted standards.
Baguma said that there were no concerns of contamination of Uganda’s milk being exported.
Baguma said that a delegation of experts from Algeria recently met milk producers in Uganda and signed partnership deeds. “Uganda’s processors are ready to start supply Algeria powder milk,” Baguma said.
Baguma said that tests were carried out on Uganda’s milk to determine if there were any toxins. Baguma said the area of concern was mycotoxin D1 which can be consumed by animals from feed. She explained that this can then be metabolized into aflatoxin M1 which is dangerous. He said the levels found in the animal should exceed a certain level in the samples taken.
“All the samples taken are found to be negative. The subsequent processing, boiling of milk makes the milk safe,” Baguma said.
“But we continue to monitor the situation. We have various mobile testing units and kits. We encourage farmers to use aflatoxin binders in animal feeds to protect the feed,” Baguma added.
When animals eat mycotoxin contaminated plant products, a significant amount of those toxins find their way in the animal products such as milk and eggs.
On foot and mouth disease concerns affecting Uganda’s milk products, Dr David Lubega the principal dairy development officer DDA said that the Algerians verified this concern and that fear is no longer there. This indicated that Uganda’s milk is free of effects from foot and mouth disease that affects cows.
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that are naturally produced by certain types of moulds (fungi). Moulds that can produce mycotoxins grow on numerous foodstuffs such as cereals, dried fruits, nuts and spices. There are over 200 mycotoxins known but those of health and economic concern are aflatoxins and ochratoxins.
MPs raised concerns about the low farm gate prices of milk. In response to this, Baguma said that the challenge at the moment was that milk was being purchased in terms of volumes and not quality in terms of proteins and butter fats.
She said that DDA was teaching farmers simple water harvesting technologies, providing tractors to cooperatives, giving pasture seeds and giving milk cans.
Linda Agnes Auma (Abim District, NRM) deputy chair of the committee said that farming needs to be improved in Uganda to boost incomes of domestic and commercial farmers. Said that national and international standards in animal feed production, storage and transportation should be applied to all animals to protect Uganda’s products.
Anthony Alden Esenu (Kapelebyong County NRM) said that they want Ugandans to benefit from the export of milk to Algeria. Esenu proposed that Uganda’s producers and milk farmers should have a direct market access of the milk to Algeria. This will enable them to benefit better than if there were many middlemen and women. “Our milk farmers and producers have to maintain high standards during production to protect the market,” Esenu said.
