Uganda unveils Green Dairy Investments Project to boost dairy industry

UGANDA – The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, has launched the Green Dairy Investments Project (GDIP), a major initiative aimed at increasing milk production, raising farmer incomes, and promoting environmentally sustainable dairy farming practices.

In partnership with Heifer International and aBi Development, the initiative aligns with Uganda’s broader development frameworks, including the National Development Plan and the Parish Development Model.

Both aim to transition households from subsistence to market-oriented production while strengthening climate resilience and economic competitiveness.

The GDIP seeks to address these bottlenecks by promoting climate-smart technologies, establishing structured dairy hubs, and strengthening private sector participation along the dairy value chain.

According to Samson Akankiza Mpiira, Commissioner for Dairy Development at the Ministry, this growth reflects farmers’ determination and sustained sector support.

“The steady growth in Uganda’s dairy sector has been driven by resilient farmers, increasing private sector investment, and supportive government policies,” Mpiira said.

Despite this progress, he acknowledged persistent structural challenges affecting the industry.

“We continue to face low productivity per animal, limited adoption of improved breeds and modern feeding systems, inadequate cold storage and milk processing infrastructure, and high post-harvest losses,” he noted.

Mpiira emphasized the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the project delivers tangible results.

“The ministry will continue to provide policy direction, regulatory oversight, and technical support to ensure the project delivers measurable impact in line with our national dairy development goals,” he said.

Uganda is currently the second-largest milk producer in East Africa, with annual production estimated at nearly five billion litres. The sector has been expanding at an annual growth rate of between 10 and 11 per cent.

Under the initiative, Heifer International has committed US$4 million over the next three years to support 20,000 farmers across 15 districts, mainly in central and southwestern Uganda.

William Matovu, Country Director of Heifer International, said the organisation is focused on sustainable impact.

“Through this investment, we aim to increase milk productivity, improve farmers’ access to markets, and strengthen sustainable dairy systems that can withstand climate shocks,” Matovu said.

Officials say the Green Dairy Investments Project is expected to serve as a national model for sustainable agricultural transformation by balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion—positioning Uganda’s dairy sector for long-term competitiveness in regional and international markets

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