By Joshua Kato
There is no doubt that the dairy sector has achieved tremendous growth in the last decade.
A few years ago, it was difficult to find quality locally processed yoghurt, but today, there are over 20 companies producing good yoghurt.
This is the same with cheese, ghee and milk. During the State of the Nation Address on June 8, President Yoweri Museveni said milk production has risen to 5.5 billion litres per year, from 3.2 billion in 2020 or 2.8 billion in 2017.
This means that at least 15 million litres are produced per day, the highest ever in Uganda’s history.
A survey across the cattle keeping regions, mainly in the west, southwest and south Buganda, shows that cattle keepers have adopted best practices that enhance production.
For example, they have better genetics, hence better breeds, nearly all farmers grow pastures, which has improved nutrition of the animals, hence more milk.
Surprisingly, compared to the crops sector, the dairy farmers have had to invest much more.
If the crops sector can borrow just half of what the dairy farmers have done, then the country will achieve its full potential as the food basket of the region.
