The paradox of safe milk supply by small-scale dairy farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: insights based on current practices in Malawi

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Abstract This research paper aimed to assess milking and milk handling practices among small-scale dairy farmers and to determine the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in raw and processed liquid milk in Malawi. A total of 113 dairy farmers were interviewed across three agroecological zones of Malawi. Eighty-seven (87) processed and raw milk samples were collected from selected food stores and dairy farms and tested for E. coli. Ninety-five percent of small-scale dairy farmers had at most 2 milking cows, with a daily average milk production of less than 10 l. Sixty-nine percent cleaned milking utensils using untreated water, and the farmers had no refrigerators. Eighty-eight percent held raw milk for over 6 h at room temperature. E. coli was found to be widely distributed in raw milk (76%) and pasteurized milk (75%), averaging 5.38 ± 1.82 and 2.47 ± 1.02 log cfu ml−1, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Malawian small-scale dairy farmers employ poor milking and post-milking practices, which compromise the socioeconomic environment of small-scale dairy farmers.

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