Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia

Tegegn Teshome; Seble Haile Maraim; Mesfin Sewelam; Kassaye Erkihun

doi:doi:10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18

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Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia

Tegegn Teshome^*, Seble Haile Maraim, Mesfin Sewelam, Kassaye Erkihun

Published in Science Futures (Volume 2, Issue 1)

Received: 23 October 2025 Accepted: 5 November 2025 Published: 7 January 2026

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Abstract

Milk quality and safety are fundamental for a sustainable and resilient dairy sector, as they directly affect public health, human nutrition and economic development. In Ethiopia, dairy production plays a crucial role in supporting household incomes, generating employment, and contributing to national food security, particularly among small- and medium-scale producers who supply urban and peri-urban markets. The sector has experienced steady growth in recent years due to increasing consumer demand for milk and dairy products, yet significant challenges persist that limit its full potential. Many commercial and semi-commercial dairy farms operate without standardized quality assurance systems, reliable cold-chain infrastructure or consistent hygiene monitoring practices. These limitations create vulnerabilities across the production and supply chain, increasing the likelihood of microbial contamination, milk spoilage and the transmission of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Such risks not only endanger consumer health but can also undermine confidence in local dairy products and constrain access to higher-value markets. Improving milk quality and safety requires a multi-faceted approach, including the adoption of Good Dairy Practices, effective farm-level hygiene management, regular quality testing and strengthened regulatory enforcement. Enhancing cold-chain logistics, farm management practices, and staff training is equally critical to minimizing contamination risks. Addressing these gaps is essential not only for protecting public health but also for increasing the competitiveness of the Ethiopian dairy value chain and ensuring alignment with international quality and biosafety standards. Ultimately, prioritizing milk quality and safety will support the long-term sustainability, resilience, and growth of Ethiopia’s dairy sector, benefiting producers, consumers and the broader economy.

Published in	Science Futures (Volume 2, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18
Page(s)	87-91
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Milk Quality, Milk Safety, Dairy Farm Management, Hygiene Practices, Biosecurity

References

[1]	Belay, D., & Janssens, G. P. J. (2021). Dairy cattle feeding and management practices in smallholder farms of Ethiopia.
[2]	Ejol, A., et al. (2020). Raw milk safety and nutritional implications in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Education and Science, 15(2), 45-53.
[3]	Ewnetu, A., Lemma, F., & Tesfaye, Y. (2022). Assessment of Milk Hygiene and Handling Practices in Small and Medium Dairy Farms in Southern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Animal Production, 22(1), 45-57.
[4]	FAO. (2022). Dairy Sector Development in Eastern Africa: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
[5]	Feyisa, B. W., et al. (2024). Adoption of milk safety practices: evidence from dairy farmers in Ethiopia. Agriculture & Food Security, 13: 25. BioMed Central.
[6]	Gebremichael, T., Tadesse, M., & Haile, A. (2020). Milk Quality and Safety in Ethiopia: A Review of Practices and Regulations. African Journal of Dairy Research, 15(2), 67–78.
[7]	Gemechu, A. T. (2021). Status and challenges in the safety and quality of dairy products in Ethiopia: A review. Food Science and Quality Management, 7, 15?24. IISTE.
[8]	ILRI (2024). New strategy aims to unlock Ethiopia’s dairy potential. International Livestock Research Institute.
[9]	Megersa, B., Beyene, B., Abunna, F., Regassa, A., Amenu, K., & Rufael, T. (2009). Risk factors for foot and mouth disease seroprevalence in indigenous cattle in southern Ethiopia.
[10]	Mekonnen, A., Kebede, T., & Worku, T. (2021). Assessment of Milk Handling and Processing Practices in Ethiopia’s Commercial Dairy Farms. Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene, 11(3), 12–25.
[11]	Shiferaw, F. (2025). Cow milk production, consumption, marketing, and food safety constraints in Ethiopia: A systematic review. Animal Frontiers, 15(5), 20?26. OUP Academic.
[12]	SNV Ethiopia. (2023). Dairy Farm Assessment and Certification Checklist for Quality Assurance. SNV Netherlands Development Organization.
[13]	Tegegne, A., & Hoekstra, D. (2022). Dairy development in Ethiopia: Review of policies, institutions, and market systems. International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[14]	Teshome, D., Gebremedhin, E., & Abebe, A. (2022). Epidemiological study and dairy farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices on foot and mouth disease in central Ethiopia.
[15]	USAID/Ethiopia (2022). Dairy industry development assessment.

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APA Style

Teshome, T., Maraim, S. H., Sewelam, M., Erkihun, K. (2026). Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia. Science Futures, 2(1), 87-91. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18

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ACS Style

Teshome, T.; Maraim, S. H.; Sewelam, M.; Erkihun, K. Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia. Sci. Futures 2026, 2(1), 87-91. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18

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AMA Style

Teshome T, Maraim SH, Sewelam M, Erkihun K. Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia. Sci Futures. 2026;2(1):87-91. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18

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@article{10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18,
  author = {Tegegn Teshome and Seble Haile Maraim and Mesfin Sewelam and Kassaye Erkihun},
  title = {Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia},
  journal = {Science Futures},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {87-91},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scif.20260201.18},
  abstract = {Milk quality and safety are fundamental for a sustainable and resilient dairy sector, as they directly affect public health, human nutrition and economic development. In Ethiopia, dairy production plays a crucial role in supporting household incomes, generating employment, and contributing to national food security, particularly among small- and medium-scale producers who supply urban and peri-urban markets. The sector has experienced steady growth in recent years due to increasing consumer demand for milk and dairy products, yet significant challenges persist that limit its full potential. Many commercial and semi-commercial dairy farms operate without standardized quality assurance systems, reliable cold-chain infrastructure or consistent hygiene monitoring practices. These limitations create vulnerabilities across the production and supply chain, increasing the likelihood of microbial contamination, milk spoilage and the transmission of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Such risks not only endanger consumer health but can also undermine confidence in local dairy products and constrain access to higher-value markets. Improving milk quality and safety requires a multi-faceted approach, including the adoption of Good Dairy Practices, effective farm-level hygiene management, regular quality testing and strengthened regulatory enforcement. Enhancing cold-chain logistics, farm management practices, and staff training is equally critical to minimizing contamination risks. Addressing these gaps is essential not only for protecting public health but also for increasing the competitiveness of the Ethiopian dairy value chain and ensuring alignment with international quality and biosafety standards. Ultimately, prioritizing milk quality and safety will support the long-term sustainability, resilience, and growth of Ethiopia’s dairy sector, benefiting producers, consumers and the broader economy.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia
AU  - Tegegn Teshome
AU  - Seble Haile Maraim
AU  - Mesfin Sewelam
AU  - Kassaye Erkihun
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DO  - 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18
T2  - Science Futures
JF  - Science Futures
JO  - Science Futures
SP  - 87
EP  - 91
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18
AB  - Milk quality and safety are fundamental for a sustainable and resilient dairy sector, as they directly affect public health, human nutrition and economic development. In Ethiopia, dairy production plays a crucial role in supporting household incomes, generating employment, and contributing to national food security, particularly among small- and medium-scale producers who supply urban and peri-urban markets. The sector has experienced steady growth in recent years due to increasing consumer demand for milk and dairy products, yet significant challenges persist that limit its full potential. Many commercial and semi-commercial dairy farms operate without standardized quality assurance systems, reliable cold-chain infrastructure or consistent hygiene monitoring practices. These limitations create vulnerabilities across the production and supply chain, increasing the likelihood of microbial contamination, milk spoilage and the transmission of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Such risks not only endanger consumer health but can also undermine confidence in local dairy products and constrain access to higher-value markets. Improving milk quality and safety requires a multi-faceted approach, including the adoption of Good Dairy Practices, effective farm-level hygiene management, regular quality testing and strengthened regulatory enforcement. Enhancing cold-chain logistics, farm management practices, and staff training is equally critical to minimizing contamination risks. Addressing these gaps is essential not only for protecting public health but also for increasing the competitiveness of the Ethiopian dairy value chain and ensuring alignment with international quality and biosafety standards. Ultimately, prioritizing milk quality and safety will support the long-term sustainability, resilience, and growth of Ethiopia’s dairy sector, benefiting producers, consumers and the broader economy.
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
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Author Information

Tegegn Teshome

Depertement of Milk and Honey Health Saftety Quality Regulatory, Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contact Email
Seble Haile Maraim

Depertement of Milk and Honey Health Saftety Quality Regulatory, Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mesfin Sewelam

Depertement of Milk and Honey Health Saftety Quality Regulatory, Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Kassaye Erkihun

Depertement of Milk and Honey Health Saftety Quality Regulatory, Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Teshome, T., Maraim, S. H., Sewelam, M., Erkihun, K. (2026). Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia. Science Futures, 2(1), 87-91. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18

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ACS Style

Teshome, T.; Maraim, S. H.; Sewelam, M.; Erkihun, K. Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia. Sci. Futures 2026, 2(1), 87-91. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18

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AMA Style

Teshome T, Maraim SH, Sewelam M, Erkihun K. Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia. Sci Futures. 2026;2(1):87-91. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18,
  author = {Tegegn Teshome and Seble Haile Maraim and Mesfin Sewelam and Kassaye Erkihun},
  title = {Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia},
  journal = {Science Futures},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {87-91},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scif.20260201.18},
  abstract = {Milk quality and safety are fundamental for a sustainable and resilient dairy sector, as they directly affect public health, human nutrition and economic development. In Ethiopia, dairy production plays a crucial role in supporting household incomes, generating employment, and contributing to national food security, particularly among small- and medium-scale producers who supply urban and peri-urban markets. The sector has experienced steady growth in recent years due to increasing consumer demand for milk and dairy products, yet significant challenges persist that limit its full potential. Many commercial and semi-commercial dairy farms operate without standardized quality assurance systems, reliable cold-chain infrastructure or consistent hygiene monitoring practices. These limitations create vulnerabilities across the production and supply chain, increasing the likelihood of microbial contamination, milk spoilage and the transmission of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Such risks not only endanger consumer health but can also undermine confidence in local dairy products and constrain access to higher-value markets. Improving milk quality and safety requires a multi-faceted approach, including the adoption of Good Dairy Practices, effective farm-level hygiene management, regular quality testing and strengthened regulatory enforcement. Enhancing cold-chain logistics, farm management practices, and staff training is equally critical to minimizing contamination risks. Addressing these gaps is essential not only for protecting public health but also for increasing the competitiveness of the Ethiopian dairy value chain and ensuring alignment with international quality and biosafety standards. Ultimately, prioritizing milk quality and safety will support the long-term sustainability, resilience, and growth of Ethiopia’s dairy sector, benefiting producers, consumers and the broader economy.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Milk Quality and Safety Practices in Commercial Dairy Farms: Findings from West Arsi and Sidama Regions, Ethiopia
AU  - Tegegn Teshome
AU  - Seble Haile Maraim
AU  - Mesfin Sewelam
AU  - Kassaye Erkihun
Y1  - 2026/01/07
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18
T2  - Science Futures
JF  - Science Futures
JO  - Science Futures
SP  - 87
EP  - 91
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.18
AB  - Milk quality and safety are fundamental for a sustainable and resilient dairy sector, as they directly affect public health, human nutrition and economic development. In Ethiopia, dairy production plays a crucial role in supporting household incomes, generating employment, and contributing to national food security, particularly among small- and medium-scale producers who supply urban and peri-urban markets. The sector has experienced steady growth in recent years due to increasing consumer demand for milk and dairy products, yet significant challenges persist that limit its full potential. Many commercial and semi-commercial dairy farms operate without standardized quality assurance systems, reliable cold-chain infrastructure or consistent hygiene monitoring practices. These limitations create vulnerabilities across the production and supply chain, increasing the likelihood of microbial contamination, milk spoilage and the transmission of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Such risks not only endanger consumer health but can also undermine confidence in local dairy products and constrain access to higher-value markets. Improving milk quality and safety requires a multi-faceted approach, including the adoption of Good Dairy Practices, effective farm-level hygiene management, regular quality testing and strengthened regulatory enforcement. Enhancing cold-chain logistics, farm management practices, and staff training is equally critical to minimizing contamination risks. Addressing these gaps is essential not only for protecting public health but also for increasing the competitiveness of the Ethiopian dairy value chain and ensuring alignment with international quality and biosafety standards. Ultimately, prioritizing milk quality and safety will support the long-term sustainability, resilience, and growth of Ethiopia’s dairy sector, benefiting producers, consumers and the broader economy.
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
ER  -

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