Food security expert Dr. Fadel ELZUBI explained that the milk production sector is currently facing complex environmental and climatic challenges that require unconventional solutions. On one hand, severe drought waves and irregular rainfall affect the availability of green fodder and drive global price increases, in addition to the direct impact of heat stress on cow productivity and milk quality.

ELZUBI added that the sector is being called upon to reduce its environmental footprint, as international initiatives such as “Net Zero Emissions Dairy” seek to adopt innovative techniques for recycling waste and reducing methane emissions by improving feed quality and using smart nutritional additives.

He noted that modern dairy farms are undergoing rapid technological transformation to address efficiency and productivity dilemmas. Precision agriculture technologies and automated (robotic) milking systems, along with smart sensors that monitor livestock health and vital indicators, contribute to improving feed conversion efficiency and reducing waste. This integration of biotechnology and digital solutions ensures higher overall farm productivity while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and animal welfare.

Regionally, ELZUBI emphasized that the sector acquires a sovereign dimension linked to the ability of countries to achieve self-sufficiency and protect their national investments in livestock wealth.

Local farms, however, face significant challenges related to competition from imported products—particularly long-life milk and powdered components from major markets. This compels policymakers to adopt strategies that strengthen the resilience of local supply chains by activating a flexible quota system, providing support packages for fodder and veterinary services, and facilitating the integration of small-scale farmers into agricultural cooperatives that enhance their bargaining and marketing power.