By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
Kampala
The Eastern and Southern Africa Dairy Association (ESADA) has kicked off the 16th African Dairy Conference and Exhibition in Kampala, Uganda. Running until September 15, 2023, ESADA has brought together the African and global dairy community to discuss and recommend solutions to policy, regulatory and industry bottlenecks that impede trade in dairy products.
The conference also aims to introduce African dairy practitioners and suppliers to new technologies and ideas for better efficiency and quality, and highlight opportunities for dairy sector investment in Africa.
Dr. Samson Akankiza Mpiira, Ag. Executive Director of Dairy Development Authority, explained that hosting the conference is beneficial for Uganda as it creates trade opportunities for Ugandan dairy products regionally and globally, technology and knowledge sharing, among many other benefits.
Peter Ngaruiya, the ESADA Executive Director, noted that over 80% of milk in the Eastern African bloc is produced by smallholder farmers, and the dairy sector is one of the critical sectors in the region with high potential for improving food security and the welfare of its people.
The National Agriculture Advisory Services Public Relations Officer, Khadija Nakakande, revealed that the Ugandan government has invested UGX 7 Billion to support dairy farmers across the country to increase milk production and value addition.
NAADS has supplied dairy farmers with milk coolers and sensitised them to grow pasture that increases milk production when fed to the cows. NAADS has also allocated Friesian cows to a number of farmers free of charge, with the aim of increasing milk production.
