Milk Production Performance, Handling and Utilization Practices, and Compositional Analysis of Local Goats in Garda Marta District, Southern Ethiopia

This study evaluated milk production performance, handling and utilization practices, and the compositional quality of local goats in Garda Marta district, Southern Ethiopia. A combination of household survey, on‐farm milk yield measurements, and laboratory‐based milk composition analysis was employed. A total of 138 households were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques to collect data on milking, handling, and utilization practices. For milk yield and composition analysis, 60 lactating does (15 per kebele) were purposively selected. Daily milk yield (DMY) was recorded from the 7th day postpartum until the end of lactation. Milk samples were collected at early, mid, and late lactation stages and analyzed for protein, fat, lactose, solid‐not‐fat (SNF), total solids (TSs), pH, and density. The results indicated that 97.8% of the households consume goat milk, with 55.1% consuming it in the raw form. Traditional containers such as gourds, clay pots, and plastic vessels are commonly used for milk handling and storage. About 58.7% of the households process milk into yoghurt. DMY differed significantly ( p < 0.05) across lactation stages, with mean values of 0.79 ± 0.03, 0.85 ± 0.03, and 0.75 ± 0.03 L/day for early, mid, and late lactation, respectively. Lactation milk yield was significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in lowland (59.60 L) than that in midland (53.27 L) areas. However, the milk composition was not significantly affected ( p > 0.05) by agroecology or other factors. The study demonstrates that goat milk plays a vital role in household nutrition and livelihoods in the study area. Improving husbandry practices, milk handling, and extension services could enhance productivity and contribute to food security and rural development.