Assessment of perceptions on milk safety and milk hygiene at dairy farms and milk collection centers in sembabule, uganda

Abstract

The dairy sub sector plays a significant role in economic development and livelihoods in Uganda. Whereas milk production is observed to increase, farmers continue to register losses mainly related to milk hygiene practices. As part of the solution, this study aimed at assessing perceptions on milk safety and milk hygiene at farmers’ level and persons working at milk collection centers in Lugusulu sub-county, Sembabule District, Uganda. All aimed at identifying the predisposing factors for poor milk hygiene and contamination. A cross sectional study was conducted across 160 dairy farms and 17 milk collection centres (MCCs). Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and observational check lists. Majority of the respondents were males (69.4% at dairy farms, 94.1% at MCCs), only 35% of dairy farmers and 88.2% of managers had attained formal education. Farmers and milk collection center managers had positive perceptions on milk safety, milk hygiene levels were poor with physical contamination higher at dairy farms than MCCs; major physical contaminants at both sites were hairs and insects. Limited training and low levels of knowledge were the most predisposing factors especially at farm level, it was found that training and knowledge influenced many other such as; hygiene behaviors and infrastructure therefore I recommend trainings on milk safety to improve on behavioral hygiene and infrastructure to reduce both physical and non-physical contamination which would be critical in improving overall milk quality and safety.