Perceptions of Factors Affecting Milk Quality and Safety among Large- and Small-Scale Dairy Farmers in Zimbabwe. (15th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paraffin, Annah Shingirai; Zindove, Titus Jairus; Chimonyo, Michael
• Other Names: Corbo Maria Rosaria Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of food quality. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-15
• Subjects: Food industry and trade -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Standards -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/5345874
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-9428

Abstract

Abstract : The study investigated the perceptions of milk producers on milk quality and safety. Randomly selected large-scale farmers (n = 158 ) and small-scale farmers (n = 186 ) were surveyed using semistructured questionnaires. An ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of farmers considering milk quality and safety important. Large-scale farmers were 3 times more likely to consider that breed affects milk quality compared to their small-scale counterparts. Farmers aged over 30 years were 3 times more likely to indicate that hygiene affected milk quality. The likelihood of milk transportation affecting its quality was 4 times higher in small-scale farmers compared to large-scale producers. Postmilking contamination of milk was perceived to occur during transportation by small-scale farmers, whilst commercial farmers ranked storage as the important source of contamination after milking. Udder diseases were ranked first by large-scale farmers while small-scale farmers ranked milking environment as the major cause of milk spoilage. The likelihood of milk safety being important was two times higher in large farms compared to small-scale farms. Intervention programmes on milk safety should mainly target small-scale dairy farmers since they are less concerned about milk quality and safety.