Cameroon ramps up milk production with high-yield cows

CAMEROON – Cameroon has made strides in dairy production by introducing high-yielding Montbéliarde cows, which have significantly boosted milk output.

Some farms, especially in the Adamaoua region, have seen daily yields rise by 75%, from 20 to 35 liters per cow.  Ismaïla Bello, CEO of Sahel Agro Consulting, linked this growth to the introduction of Montbéliarde cattle into herds across the Adamaoua.

Since 2021, Cameroon has acquired 495 Montbéliarde heifers as part of the Livestock Development Project (Prodel), funded by the World Bank.

The Montbéliarde breed is favored for its high milk yield performance. Prodel officials note the breed’s ability to adapt more easily to harsh climatic conditions, yielding 20 liters of milk per cow daily, with potential for higher output through technological enhancements in milking.

These cows, renowned for producing up to 40 liters of milk daily and their adaptability to hot climates, have played a pivotal role in enhancing local dairy output.

Prime Minister Ngute expressed satisfaction with the sector’s progress in 2024, highlighting the production of 235,000 tons of meat and 131,000 tons of milk.

By leveraging initiatives like Prodel and the upcoming insemination program, Cameroon aims to strengthen its domestic production capacity, gradually reducing reliance on imports while meeting rising domestic demand.

Additionally, the country announced that it is poised to make a significant leap in dairy production with the establishment of the National Animal Seed Production Center in Wakwa, Adamawa region.

According to Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, the facility will produce 500 doses of cattle semen and 300 embryos annually, enabling the artificial insemination of 276,000 cows to enhance milk output.

The move is part of a broader strategy to address a persistent milk production deficit that forces Cameroon to depend heavily on imports.

The Ministry of Livestock’s strategic plan, approved in June 2024, underscores the government’s commitment to transforming the dairy sector.

Despite these improvements in production, reaching 176,600 tonnes in 2023, up from 173,900 tonnes in 2022 (a 2% increase) according to official figures, Cameroon continues to face an official milk production deficit of nearly 120,000 tonnes per year. Dairy product imports typically cover this shortfall.

In 2023, for instance, Cameroon spent over 35 billion CFA francs to import 17,217 tonnes of powdered and condensed milk, an increase of 2 billion CFA francs year-over-year, as reported by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) in its foreign trade report.

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