Midland Milk Company Set To Open Ultra -Modern Milk Processing Plant In Tanzania’s Capital -

Eng. Merius Paul Kabunga

Plans are afoot to increase the number of dairy cattle to at least 3000 from the currently 76, the development which is projected to heighten milk production kevel to 40000 liters per day

By Senior Reporter VALENTINE OFORO

DODOMA- based key dairy establishment, the Mildland Milk Company, is constructing a state- of- the -art milk processing factory in the region.

Expecting to be the region’s maiden dairy factory, the facility is expected to process and inject into the market at least 3000 liters of milk per day in its first production leg, set for February next year.

Giving an exclusive interview to this publication, the Director General of Mildland Milk Company, Eng.Merius Paul Kabunga said construction of the plant is now at good development pace.

“Currently, we’re working to install modern facilities, including cold rooms and incubators in readiness to start production,” he said.

Being motivated by increased demand for milk than supply in the capital city, Eng Kabunga said the investment focuses on quenching milk thirst among dwellers in the fast- growing city, as well as to cater for the neighboring regions.

“We’re erecting and installing the high technical machineries to ensure the plant produces the best milk, and other relevant by- products,” he expressed.

To ensure the envisaged factory is supplied with enough milk to process, he said the company, Mildland Dairy Farm, has so far opened over 100 acres of dairy cattle estate in Zanka area, Bahi district, dubbed ‘Midland Dairy Farm’

“I established the farm two years ago with ten dairy cattle, but the investment has grown up impressively as today we have a total of 76 high- breed dairy cows,” he detailed.

He added that the investment is currently producing a total of 270 liters of milk per day, produced by at least 24 cows, being out of 76 cattle available at the farm.

So far, the local investor expressed, he has managed to open two ultra- modern milk selling points at the Dodoma City, saying the business is attracting many customers in surpassing delivery capacity.

Dwelling on the future of the investment, he said plans are afoot to increase the number of dairy cattle to at least 3000 from the currently 76, saying the plans, which are projected to mature in two years to come will push the milk production to 40000 liters per day.

“We’re very grateful to the diverse support and cooperation we’re kept on receiving from the government, through the Tanzania Dairy Board (TDB),” he stated.

Through the support, the company has been linked with key financial institutions for acquiring capital loans meant to expand and extend further.

“For instance, the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) has visited our place and has greenlighted us to apply for a loan anytime,” he explained.

He said his dairy farm, has become a key training hub, saying: ” We are receiving a number of students who are studying livestock courses at diverse colleges, including the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), who are coming to practice their practical studies,”

Together with that, he said the TDB have also been sending a number of students there for practical learning purposes, but also many stakeholders in the dairy sector and government officials are regularly visiting the farm.

Apart from attaining good success, the director said lack of electricity remains a big barrier which thwarting needed development at the milk vast milk farm.

” I am failing to install some of necessary machines in order to transform and digitilise the farm, I am still struggling for the national power utility entity to supply me with electricity,” he observed.

Tanzania currently has a total of six major (large scale) milk factories, 13 medium factory as well as a total of 130 small-scale milk plants.

Records at the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that the sector is currently attracting a total of 2.2 million households across the country, with the contribution towards the national Gross Domestic Products (GDP) standing at 2pc. percent.