Cattle Milk Processing Among the Smallholder Agro-Pastoralists in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was carried out among smallholder farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria to understand the mode of milk processing carried out by them. The study was conducted at Giwa and Kauru Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. A total of 44 established cattle milk producers who also process and market the milk and dairy products were randomly selected. Data generated were analysed using frequency counts and percentages through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Majority (38.6%) of the agro-pastoralists were within the age range of 41-50 years of age. The males agro-pastoralists were more (72.7%) than the females (27.3%). 91.9% of the respondents were literate thus able to collect data if required. The respondents all process the fresh milk within the hour of collection. They pasturise (100%) and processed this milk into sour milk (100%), buttermilk (56.8%) and a few process into cottage cheese (2.3%). The respondents derived various social and monetary benefits from the processing and sales of their dairy products.