How much do you know about Dairy Cattle Production in Ethiopia?

Introduction to Dairy Cattle Production and its Role in the Global and Ethiopian Economy

• Dairy cattle production is the act of raising cattle for milk production, with cows being the primary source of milk.
• Milk is a valuable commodity, with world milk production estimated at 748.7 million tons in 2011, and cow’s milk accounting for 620.7 million tons.
• In 2010, the value of milk represented 8.9% of the value of all agricultural products globally.
• Africa's cow milk production in 2004 was only one-fifth of the world average yield, with Sudan, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and Algeria being the top five milk-producing countries.
• Ethiopia has one of the largest livestock inventories in Africa, with 83% of milk coming from cattle, and the sector contributing 63% to the gross value of ruminant livestock production.
• Ethiopia produces approximately 3.2 billion liters of milk from 10 million milking cows, with households consuming 85%, 8% processed into products with longer shelf-life, and 7% sold.
• Milk production is labor-intensive and provides employment opportunities, making it a crucial cash crop for smallholders.
• The dairy industry has four unique features: milk is bulky and highly perishable, strict quality regulations are required, small-scale producers dominate the industry, and milk processing is more important than in other agricultural sectors.
• The history of dairy development in Ethiopia can be divided into three phases: the Imperial Regime (1950-74), the Socialist Regime (1974-91), and the Liberalization Phase (1991-present).
• During the Imperial Regime, the modern dairy industry began to develop, with the government introducing high-yielding dairy cattle and establishing milk processing and marketing facilities.
• During the Socialist Regime, the government shifted its attention to rural producers and established the Dairy Development Enterprise to operate nationalized state farms, establish a milk collection network, and provide advisory and technical services to farmers.
• During the Liberalization Phase, the government focused on privatization, liberalization, and deregulation, and the dairy industry became more market-oriented, with the private sector playing a more prominent role.

Test your knowledge of dairy cattle production and its role in the global and Ethiopian economy with our informative quiz! Learn about the value of milk as a commodity, the unique features of the dairy industry, and the history of dairy development in Ethiopia. Challenge yourself with questions on milk production, employment opportunities, and the various phases of dairy development. Whether you're a student, farmer, or simply interested in the dairy industry, this quiz is for you!