Cameroon has just received its last batch of Montbéliarde cows from France to develop its milk sector. Thanks to these cows, Cameroon hopes to fill its milk production deficit estimated at 120,000 tonnes per year.
Al Hadji Magra received 20 cows in March 2021. Almost two years later, he takes stock.
« It gives me good satisfaction, it’s a profitable breeding that requires a lot of investment at the beginningwarns Al Hadji Magra. ” J‘ve invested in the barn, the buildings. I invested in buying land to grow fodder, so I invested in growing fodder too. And then also the working capital, because when the cows arrive, they don’t produce a lot of milk right away. Myself, I brought 40% of my business plan. »
This dignitary from Ngaoundéré already owned local cows, and wanted to get into dairy production. But no more question of free grazing, the Montbéliardes require special maintenance. “There is more than special attention. The constraint is that they need much more cleanliness », stresses Al Hadji Magra. “There are the workers who are there, among the people who take care of these cows, there is one who is specialized in cleanliness. »
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Thinking ahead
Prodel, the livestock development program in Cameroon at the head of the initiative, had to put in place training and different strategies for the proper acclimatization of these cows. With Montbéliardes who produce at least six times more milk than local breeds, the coordinator of Prodel, Doctor Abouamé Salé, is thinking regarding the future.
« We have started to import small conservation units – like small fridges – which run on solar energy. he says. “We also have collection centers that can receive relatively larger quantities, it can be up to 4000 liters of milk that can be stored for 24 hours while waiting for collection. So for the moment, what we still lack is the trucks, the tanks like in Europe to ensure the cold chain. »
Slowly changing consumer habits
Yoghurt, curdled milk and cheeses… The aim is to develop the entire sector. “We have processing units today which have a relatively low capacity of around 4000 liters that can be transformed per daysays Doctor Abouamé Salé. “It’s already something, but in 4-5 months we will go to 10,000 because there is a UHT unit [une unité de stérilisation du lait à haute température, NDLR] which is under construction. »
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It is now competitive to produce fresh milk compared to imported powdered milk, assures Al Hadji Magra. However, consumer habits are slowly changing. The breeder now sells his milk to cooperatives. He hopes eventually to have his own processing unit.
