Some aspects of the peri-urban dairy system in Cameroon

A survey to establish baseline data for future intervention in milk and dai ry production in the peri-urban areas of Garoua, Maroua and Bamenda,was car ried out. Dairy products are still produced in a traditional way in areas a round Maroua and Garoua with milk from native zebu cattle (Red and White Fu lani breeds). The important dairy products are pendidam and kindirmu, both of which are fermented milks. Naturally sorry milli was found occasionally. Around Bamenda, milk is produced by herds comprising pure Holsteins, Jerse ys and their crosses,with local zebu cows; cross-breeding is being intensif ied to increase rapidly the size of the dairy herds. Appreciable volumes of milk ave produced daily, so allowing the industrial processing of fresh mi lk into pasteurized milk, yogurt and cheese. The potential for expansion of the dairy industry, and the possible constraints, weve identified and solu tions proposed.