Milk production in Kazungula - from handmade containers to a modern plant In recent years, a lot has happened in the milk production of the cooperative in Kazungula. Originally, raw milk was sold directly from the jug to customers... First of all, hygienic containers were purchased for the dairy products and a hygiene concept was drawn up. This was followed by the installation of a modern pasteurization and bottling plant, financed by a Rotary Foundation project in cooperation with Zambesi Health. After some initial hurdles, the technical equipment was put into operation. Today, the cooperative produces pasteurized fresh milk, sour milk and yoghurt - a major step forward for the local smallholder farm and on the way to safe food.
Hygienic dairy products
Together with the milkers and employees of the cooperative, we held workshops to raise awareness of the dangers of consuming raw milk. We drew up a hygiene concept for the cooperative and then introduced pasteurization of the milk. This was then processed into raw milk or yoghurt using pure cultures. The better taste of the pasteurized products convinced the local people. Thanks to the workshops and the joint creation of the hygiene concept, we were able to make milk production more hygienic and safer, which was an important first step towards improving food hygiene in the cooperative’s milk collection point, which was very basic at the time.
The good news came in November 2020: the application for funding to purchase a pasteurization system and hygiene training was approved by the Rotary Foundation. The funds requested for the “Safe Milk Production” Global Grants project can be drawn down once the coronavirus travel restrictions have been lifted.Planning for the structural requirements at the milk collection point began at the start of 2021. A small room is to be converted into a sales area with its own entrance, and the entire milk collection point has been redesigned so that food can be processed there to a high standard of hygiene. On 18.02. a video conference was held between Berlin and Kazungula. Zambesi Health is financing the upfront costs for the conversion.
Installation of the devices
The long-awaited release of the funding came at the end of June 2021. The pasteurization plant in South Africa was ordered in September. The tender for the conversion work was awarded in October. Zambesi Health financed the approximately €9,000 from its own funds.
After the pasteurization system arrived in Kazungula in December 2021, it was installed in the previously renovated rooms of the milk collection point. The technician from Milk Pro International, the South African manufacturer, traveled to the event in person. From February 26 to 28, 2022, he conducted three days of intensive on-site training with the Zambesi Health technical team and selected members of the cooperative.
Together, they positioned the equipment such as the pasteurizer, the cooling basin and the filling system in the designated places. The electrician installed the necessary connections. During the training, all work steps from milk pasteurization and filling to cooling and storage were documented.
Successful start
After this training, milk production could begin under high hygiene conditions. The cooperative members were very impressed by the semi-automatic technology. After successful test runs and trial pasteurizations, the system was officially put into operation. From May 2022, the cooperative was then able to start regularly offering pasteurized dairy products in its region. Since then, the cooperative has been producing and selling pasteurized milk products in its region.
This complex technology transfer under difficult local conditions has significantly improved food safety. The cooperative’s income increased. Zambesi Health and the local partners impressively demonstrated their ability to successfully manage an internationally funded project.
Cooperation
The partnership between Zambesi Health and the farmers’ cooperative continues even after the project has been completed. Maintenance visits by MilkPro technicians take place at regular intervals to ensure the smooth operation of the dairy plant. Minor repair work is carried out directly on site.
The cooperative’s specially trained hygiene officer continuously monitors compliance with the high production standards. Despite lower milk volumes in some cases due to seasonal dry periods, the farm is running to the fullest satisfaction overall.
The successful implementation of the project has enabled the local cooperative to manage modern milk pasteurization independently and sustainably. The improved hygiene standards and higher income have a positive impact on the entire region.
