Services offered by DDA to public
Building Capacity of Dairy Stakeholders.
Human capital development in dairy subsector and agriculture in general is critical to realize increased production and productivity in Uganda. DDA prioritized to train and skill dairy stakeholders in various aspects along the dairy value chain.
Value Addition Promotion.
Value addition in the dairy sub sector plays a pivotal role in reducing post-harvest losses and increasing household incomes; increasing net dairy exports notwithstanding. The Authority is promoting skilling in value addition where a number of dairy stakeholders, the majority being the youth, are skilled in yoghurt production, ice cream, cheese making and product packaging. Quality control and assurance, entrepreneurship are not been left out since they are critical aspects in value addition. The skilling is done through Entebbe Dairy Training School and field based training. A number of former trainees have been able to establish cottages country wide and the quality of milk and milk products has improved as a result of the training.
Promotion of Pasture Production and Fodder Conservation
Promotion of pasture production and fodder conservation is one of the key drivers in increasing production and productivity. DDA procures and distributes improved pasture seeds and seedlings to dairy farmers. Fodder conservation helps to mitigate dry season challenges.
Promotion of Milk Consumption
Currently, Uganda’s milk per capita consumption stands at 63 liters; lower than the 200L recommended by W.H.O, which calls for interventions to boost milk consumption. This is done through school milk program, celebration of World June Dairy Month and also other key events organized by Government.
Mass Milk Consumption Campaigns
The Authority strives to promote milk consumption through school milk program and consumption campaigns. Eg June Dairy Month Celebrations, that is celebrated annually world over to recognize the dairy stakeholders along the dairy value chain. In Uganda, DDA takes lead in these celebrations. The theme for this year’s celebration was; “Quality Milk Production for Improved Nutrition and Income”
Promotion of Milk Marketing and Reduction of Post-Harvest Losses.
One of the key issues that the Authority seeks to address is reducing post-harvest losses and improving milk quality through the use of appropriate food grade utensils. Post-harvest losses are critical threats to the dairy chain value actors to an extent that it has negative impacts on productivity and thus household incomes through the loss of valuable milk. These post-harvest losses partly result from the failure to transport the raw milk to chilling facilities yet the commodity is highly perishable. Government through DDA rehabilitates the dilapidated milk collection centers that it inherited from Dairy Corporation; to enable the farmers immediately chill the milk before it is transported to processing plants. This has reduced post-harvest losses and improved household incomes.
Institutional Strengthening
Vibrant institutions are key in delivering their mandates. In the last FY 2018/19, the Authority;- o Constructed new administrative unit in Gulu Municipality to boost its operations in the Northern region. Procured a double cabin pickup vehicle and continued with rehabilitation works for the Entebbe Training school in an attempt to make it a center of excellence. o Functionalized and equipped the regional offices in the North Eastern and South Western Regions.
Subsector Coordination and Collaboration
Build strategic networks with other sector players (organizations and individuals); • Demonstrate proper milking, milk handling and transportation using recommended milk handling utensils to avoid post-harvest losses; • Disseminate literature to the sector players such as training manuals, processing flow charts, standards for milk and dairy standards; among others.
Formation & Strengthening of Dairy Farmers Groups
One of the key interventions to increase production and productivity in the NDP II is to strengthen farmer group formation, platforms and cooperatives.
Registration of Dairy Businesses Country Wide
As per Dairy (Marketing and Processing of Milk and Milk Products) Regulations, 2003 and as amended in 2006 and 2015, the Authority is mandated to register all dairy businesses in the country to ensure compliance to the dairy standards and regulations.
Analysis of Milk and Milk Product Samples
Ensuring quality and safety of milk and milk products is one of the key priorities set by the Authority. Several analyses were carried out to ascertain whether the milk is fit for human consumption.
Inspections
Inspections form part of the key planned activities every financial year. It is the responsibility of the Authority to ensure that milk handling premises, equipment, export and import consignments conform to the set dairy standards and regulations.
Market Surveillance
The Authority carries out market surveillance activities to ensure that the milk and milk products on the market meet the dairy standards and regulations. This is one of the ways of ensuring safety of the milk and milk products being traded. The findings from market surveillance guide on the next course of action.
Enforcement of Dairy Regulations
The Authority regularly conducts enforcement operations as one of the activities to ensure compliance to dairy standards and regulations to curb malpractices along the dairy value chain.
Promotion of Hygienic Milk Production
The Authority promotes hygienic milk production in the country
Duties of the Authority
Under section 5 of the Dairy Industry Act 1998, the Authority:-
A. Registers and licenses milk processors and traders;
B. Supports dairy farmers’ marketing organizations;
C. Advises the Government on milk standards and coordinate the enforcement of those standards in liaison with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards;
D. Controls and regulates dairy and dairy-related import and export activities in conformity with the External Trade Act, but without violating the Animal Diseases Act;
E. Implements Government policy designed to promote the development of the dairy sector;
F. Supports various dairy development activities such as dairy extension, dairy breeding, dairy research, dairy training, dairy products development and general market promotion, including promotion of dairy export(s);
G. Acts as arbitrator in any conflict between dairy companies and processors;
H. Coordinates all dairy processing and marketing promotional activities, such as seminars, trade fairs and workshops;
I. Pools dairy processing and marketing data;
J. Advises the Government on research priorities of the dairy sub sector and
K. Does anything connected with, or necessary for the performance of the foregoing duties.
