Technical Bulletin No. 3: Milk Processing Technologies for Small-Scale Producers

Abstract

This Technical Bulletin is the third in a series produced by the Women's Livelihoods and Dairy Goat Project being implemented in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This IFAD-funded project aims to improve rural livelihoods in marginal, conflict and post-conflict areas of the two countries. There are large numbers of small-scale livestock keepers in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and traditional milk processing methods (e.g. cheese making) are well known in many areas. Many of these producers seek to improve the quality of milk products, for home consumption and especially for sale. However, little effort has been made so far to promote simple, improved processing technologies suitable for small-scale producers. Such technologies can create better market access for these producers, and improve household nutrition as well as consumer health. This booklet describes simple, appropriate processing technologies for producing value-added milk products such as yogurt, butter and cheese. It is intended to serve as an extension aid for farmers and women farmer facilitators working with communities in both countries. It will also be helpful in other countries and regions where conditions are similar. These techniques are particularly important in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, where zoonotic diseases (e.g. tuberculosis and brucellosis) are common, affecting both livestock and people. The guidelines suggested in this booklet will help to improve the quality of milk and milk products, and reduce transmission of these diseases. This booklet will also be useful to anyone engaged in small-scale dairy enterprises.