The dairy industry in Sub-Saharan Africa is a large and growing industry. In 2017, the region produced an estimated 60 million metric tons of milk, which was up from 50 million metric tons in 2010. Most of the milk production in Sub-Saharan Africa is from smallholder farms, with an estimated 80 per cent of milk produced on farms with less than 10 cows. Medium and large dairy farms account for the remaining 20 per cent of milk production.
The distribution of dairy production between smallholder, medium, and large farms varies by country. In some countries, such as Kenya and Ethiopia, smallholder farms account for the vast majority of milk production. In other countries, such as South Africa, medium and large dairy farms account for a larger share of milk production.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the dairy business faces several challenges, such as:
● Low productivity: When compared to other regions of the world, Sub-Saharan Africa has low productivity. This is due to several factors, including poor animal genetics, inadequate feed and nutrition, and poor animal health.
● High transaction costs: The cost of transporting milk from farms to markets is high in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is due to poor road infrastructure and a lack of cold storage facilities.
● Limited access to markets: Many smallholder dairy farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa have limited access to markets for their milk. This is due to a lack of infrastructure and a lack of information about market opportunities.
Despite these challenges, the dairy industry in Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to grow significantly. The demand for milk and dairy products is rising because of the region’s growing population. The region also has several strengths, including a favorable climate for dairy production and a large pool of potential dairy farmers.
There are a few initiatives to support the growth of the dairy industry in Sub-Saharan Africa. These initiatives include:
● Improving animal genetics: Dairy development programs are working to improve the genetic quality of dairy animals in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is accomplished by using artificial insemination and introducing improved breeds of dairy animals.
● Improving feed and nutrition: Dairy development programs are working to improve the feed and nutrition of dairy animals in Sub-Saharan Africa. This could be done by promoting improved forage crops and mineral supplements.
● Improving animal health: Dairy development programs are working to improve the animal health of dairy animals in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is being done by the provision of vaccines and other veterinary services.
● Improving access to markets: Dairy development programs aim to improve the access of smallholder dairy farmers to markets for their milk. Building cold storage facilities, particularly milk collection centers, and developing marketing networks contribute to achieving this goal.
The dairy industry in Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to significantly contribute to the region's economic growth. It can provide jobs, generate income, and improve nutrition for millions of people. The initiatives underway to support the growth of the dairy industry are essential to realizing this potential