Kirehe milk farmers to woo local consumers

NYAGATARE — Cattle farmers in Kirehe District will encourage local residents to consume milk by sensitising them about its health benefits to increase sales. “Our farming sector has grown and the most worrying issue is lack of an adequate market for milk,” said Joseph Ndagijimana, a model farmer in Musaza Sector. “But we have come up with a solution. Once we mobilise our local people to adopt the culture of consuming milk, the market will be available”. He added: “People in our area prefer alcohol and other drinks without considering the positive impact of milk consumption to human health. This is what we want to sensitise them about while seeking a market for our milk products”. The farmers also completed a guided tour of various farming projects in the district, including Nyagatare Savannah milk plant. Justine Kirabo, an official in charge of quality assurance at Savannah milk plant, briefed the delegation of 54 farmers on how to maintain milk quality from the farm to the market. “If you want to maintain quality in milk, you have to start from the kraal. Maintaining cleanliness from this stage ensures that the milk maintains its original quality until you take it to the market,” she explained. The study tour was financed by Kirehe Community-based Watershed Management Project (KWAMP) in collaboration with Heifer International. Ends

National

Kirehe milk farmers to woo local consumers