By Peter Abanabasazi
Dairy farmers in Kikuube district are concerned over the continued decline of milk prices, saying the enterprise is no longer profitable.
Charles Rwobushese, a dairy farmer in Kyarushesha village in Butoole parish, Kikuube district who supplies milk to Kyangwali Dairy Farmers’ Cooperative Society, says prices being offered are very low.
Calling for government intervention, Rwobushesi notes a litre of milk has come down from between Shs 800-900 to between Shs 600 -700.
He adds that the low milk prices cannot even cover the cost of inputs such as drugs, labour, fodder, and food supplements that boost milk production.
James Kanyakole, another dairy farmer in Kikuube district also appealed to the government to intervene and get them a better market, saying it would help farmers transform their livelihoods.
Julius Kwesiga Karazi, the manager of Kyangwali Dairy Farmers’ Cooperative Society attributed the drop in the prices to the increasing milk production in the district.
He also attributed the drop in milk prices to the ban which was imposed on Ugandan milk by Kenya, adding that Kenya has been providing a good market for Ugandan milk.
However, he challenged farmers to remain calm, adding that as milk traders, they are engaging the government to look for regional markets.
