Abstract:
The milk handling practices and different constraints that affect milk quality in different
production systems were identified to take corrective measures. The study was conducted in
three dairy production systems of West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional state. Out of 180, 30
households from urban,75 households from peri-urban and 75 households’ rural areas
respectively. The data were collected from 180 respondents purposely selected respondents.
Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed to summarize raw milk handling practice,
hygienic quality of equipment. Design expert software was used to test significance values of
independent variables considering local and improved cow breed. The result of the study
revealed that, the milking methods of dairy farmers was hand milking with milking frequency of
twice (1.5, 12, 0.25, 7, 0.5 and 3L/day show significance difference at 0.05 respectively. On the
other hand, only 28.3% of households were found practicing cleaning of the milking barn. There
was statistically significant difference between milk producers who were not wash their hands
before milking (85.8%) than that of milk producers who do wash (14.2%) their hand before
milking. Besides, this study revealed that, only 36%, and 23.1% of dairy producers washed
udder and teat in urban and peri-urban production systems, respectively. Majority (85.9%) of
milk producers weren’t practicing drying udder and teats after washing whereas, only 14.1%
milk producers were practicing to dry udder and teats with individual towel (4.7%) and common
towel (9.4%). Significant number of milk producers (47.8%) and (68.8%) used gourds as milk
storage equipment in peri-urban and rural area, respectively while plastic container was
dominant (84%) in urban production system. These findings highlight the urgent need for
interventions to improve the handling practices of raw milk in the study area. By addressing
these constraints, it is possible to enhance clean milk production and ensure the availability of
safe and high-quality milk for consumers in Meta Robi District. Further study is warranted to
assess the effectiveness of these interventions and explore additional factors influencing milk
handling practices in other regions of Ethiopia.
