President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged dairy farmers to shift their focus towards producing casein and powdered milk to tap into the lucrative international market.
The appeal was made during a meeting with dairy farmers from Kazo and Kiruhura districts at Karo Primary School in Nshwere, Kiruhura District.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of transitioning from liquid milk to processed products for export, citing the potential for longer shelf life and better prices in global markets. Despite Uganda’s commendable increase in milk production to 5 billion liters annually, the President stressed the need to explore international demand.
He highlighted the cost-effectiveness of processing milk into powdered form for export stating “Liquid milk is heavy and expensive for exportation, but if processed into powdered milk, it becomes lighter and more affordable.”
Reflecting on the success stories in the dairy industry, President Museveni commended farmers who embraced strategic changes, such as adopting zero grazing.
While acknowledging the growth of Uganda’s dairy industry, he addressed the challenge of insufficient markets for milk products, urging farmers to consider the broader picture of the external market.
President Museveni also underscored the importance of value addition in dairy farming and expressed optimism about the potential of an Anti-tick vaccine currently under development, which could revolutionize livestock health.
He emphasized the role of local government officials in sensitizing communities about environmental protection. Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, shared positive news about the locally developed Anti-tick vaccine, indicating an impressive efficacy of 88% from final trials.
The meeting was attended by Bishop of North Ankole Diocese Rev. Canon Stephen Namanya, Member of Parliament of Nyabushozi County, Hon. Wilson Kajwengye, Dairy Development Authority Executive Director Mr. Samson Akankiza, among others.
