ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTION, HANDLING PRACTICES AND MICROBIAL QUALITY OF MILK PRODUCED IN ALETA CHUKO DISTRICT OF SIDAMA REGIONAL STATE OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A study was carried out in Aleta Chuko District rural and peri urban Sidama regional states of Ethiopia. A total of 152 household heads, notably 101 and 51 from rural and peri urban Kebeles, respectively selected among milk producing smallholder household. For selection of rural and peri urban households the lists of farmers were provided by the respective PAs administration offices and interviewed to assessment of the row cow milk production practices and milk handling. For microbial analysis a total of 42 raw milk samples were collected aseptically using sterile sample bottles. The water sources used for cleaning purpose of milk handling equipment in peri-urban and rural households were from river 46.4%, pond 18.7.%, tap 34.9%,. Overall, majority of households (60.2%) used cold water for washing milk handling equipment, while the others (39.8) used warm water. The proportion of households using common towel was 71% and the other 29% used by their hands to dry udder before and after milking. About 81.3% of respondents in current study area smoke the “Weyra zaf” (OleaAfricana) to smoke milk handling equipments and other 18.3% not smoking practices Weyra zaf .Most interviewed household heads in the peri urban areas (15.7%) and rural areas (32.7%), over all mean (24.2%) practiced washing of milking utensils before milking and other over all mean practice before and after (75.2%). Overall 37.2% of the households used clay pot and metal utensils to keep milk and milk products, while 32.9% used glasses especially in urban areas. The majority of household heads (rural) and (peri urban) used for bedding materials, (58.3%) grass covered while others (41.7%) used iron sheet. The overall result indicated that, milk production for household consumption purpose accounts about 28%, whereas for market accounts about 12% and for both consumption and sale purpose accounts about 60%. The microbial quality of raw milk samples show that an average total bacteria of 5.8 and 6.2log10 cfu/ml samples taken from peri urban and rural household heads, respectively. This high level of contamination of milk might be due to initial contamination of milk originating from the udder surface, source of cleaning water, milkier hygienic condition and milking utensils. The mean CC from raw milk samples collected from peri urban and rural raw milk producer households were 5.6 and 5.9 log10 cfu/ml respectively with over all mean value of 5.8 log10 cfu/ml. The overall mean value of yeast mold in the study area5.7log10 cfu/ml and staphylococcus count 5.3log10 cfu/ml and5.4log10 cfu/ml respectively from peri urban and rural Kebeles. In conclusion, the milk production potential and quality of milk in the study area needs the attention of the extension, research and other forms of support for improvement.