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Limitations for Dairy Production in Developing Countries

Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

ABSTRACT

Animal products (fish, eggs, meat, and milk) provide nearly 53 million Mt of edible protein and more than 1 billion Meal of energy per year. This is equivalent to 53% of the protein and 26% of the energy from cereal grains. The 550 million Mt of milk provides 53% of all animal protein. Present production is equivalent to .36 liters per capita, but consumption is high in developed countries, .5 to .8 liters per day but less than .2 liters in developing countries. From 1969 to 1978 world milk supplies increased 1.4% peryr, but human population grew 2.1%. Comparing rates of increase in cattle numbers (1.1%) and in milk (1.4%) indicates milk per animal has changed little. Land for agricultural cropping increased 1.1% per year 1969 to 1978. Expansion of cropping into traditional grazing areas and rise in fossil fuel prices has tended to reduce availability of milk in urban centers of developing countries. Elasticity of demand for milk in developing countries is high, but general market growth is slow because of limits in income growth by the majority of the population.

Many developing countries are giving greater emphasis to milk supplies and are seeking bank loans to support development of infrastructure for dairying both on and off farms. Growth in milk must come largely from small farms which will require identification of constraints and development of appropriate technology. On subsistence farms there is a high dependence on animals to provide goods and services of nonfood nature which also will require consideration in developing milk supplies. Potential for growth of milk supplies in developing countries is high and affords an excellent opportunity for dairy scientists in the United States to assist in training and research.