Contribution of Milk Collection Centers in Improving Rural Household Food

Sylvestre Mbanza and Simon Sibomana Department of Hotel and Restaurant, University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rwanda *Corresponding author: smbanza@gmail.com

Received October 31, 2018; Revised December 13, 2018; Accepted January 31, 2019

Abstract: The study was conducted to explore the contribution of milk collection center in improving rural household food security, Byimana sector, Rwanda. The study aim was to scrutinize the role of Milk Collection Center (MCC) for household food security and milk safety and to identify the challenges faced by farmers as well as MCC. Data were collected from 90farmers by structured questionnaires. SPSS version 21 was used in data analysis. The results showed that the farmers get various benefits from MCC, 66.7% have market of their milk and26.7% receive training. The major use of income earned by farmers:33.3% money used to buy their assets and buy medical insurance and26.7% is used to buy food needed. However, 73.3% farmers use plastics while 26.7 % employ stainless steel containers in milk handling. The study found main farmers’ challenge,37.8%lack of enough capital, 26.7%deficiency of feeds. On the other hand, MCC does not receive enough quantity of milk, some farmers sell their milk to the shops &boutiques. In conclusion, MCC outstandingly contributes in food security improvement of farmers at household level. The study recommends the use of stainless steel containers and the farmers need enough trainings.