Paper ID: TAGJ2025004

Assessment of Milk Value Chain Upgrading Opportunities of Ankole Dairies, Mbarara Municipality

Amos Akandwanaho

Department of Agribusiness, Makerere University, Uganda

Abstract

This study assessed the milk value chain upgrading opportunities for Ankole Dairies Limited in Mbarara Municipality, with the aim of enhancing its competitiveness in the market. A cross-sectional research design was employed, utilizing both primary and secondary data sources. A total of 50 respondents participated in the study, including 20 employees of Ankole Dairies Limited and 30 consumers of its products. Purposive sampling was used to select employees, while simple random sampling was applied to select consumers. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS, with results presented in frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that the major products of Ankole Dairies include mozzarella cheese (36%), butter (34%), and vanilla yoghurt (30%). Key actors in the milk value chain were identified as milk producers (farmers) (24%), distributors (26%), traders (retailers) (28%), and consumers (22%). The study also highlighted several areas in need of upgrading, including the processing of tinned yoghurt, increased production of mozzarella cheese, introduction of strawberry yoghurt, technical improvements in milk distribution to retailers, certification of preservation methods by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), transportation enhancements, and the processing of milk into milk powder. The study recommended that Ankole Dairies Limited’s management provide practical training to employees, improve access to credit from microfinance institutions for purchasing necessary machinery, and employ skilled labor to support product upgrades. 

Download