Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 1,144
- 649
Milk production in Ntungamo District has dropped sharply, leaving farmers, traders and processors struggling with reduced supplies. Daily production has fallen to about 40,000 litres, down from as much as 90,000 litres during the rainy season.
What is causing the shortage?
- Prolonged drought has dried up pasture and water sources for cattle.
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has affected cattle across the district for about eight months.
- Disease outbreaks and livestock movement restrictions have disrupted farmers' access to markets.
- Some farmers have also lost animals to disease.
What does this mean for farmers and consumers?
Farm-gate milk prices have increased to between Shs1,200 and Shs1,400 per litre following the lifting of the quarantine.
Milk traders say competition for the little milk available has intensified, while collection centres and processors are receiving reduced supplies.
The shortage is also affecting consumers, with similar supply problems reported in Mbarara, where daily milk collection has fallen from about 20,000 litres to between 5,000 and 8,000 litres.
What are citizens saying?
Milk traders say they are struggling to get enough milk to operate normally, with some starting work late and closing early because of limited supplies.
Stakeholders have also raised concerns about milk quality, including reports of some traders and farmers allegedly adding water to milk to increase volumes.
What should be done?
Stakeholders are calling for urgent measures to help farmers recover production, including:
- Better access to animal feeds and water.
- Stronger control of livestock diseases.
- Water harvesting and feed storage to prepare for dry periods.
- Adoption of climate-smart livestock farming.
- Investment in milk processing and value addition.
With milk production falling and prices rising, what should government and local authorities do to protect farmers, traders and consumers from the growing dairy supply crisis?
