18pc rise in dairy output Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka

Kudzaishe Muhamba-Herald Reporter

Dairy farmers in Zimbabwe have produced 43,35 million litres in the first six months of 2022, representing an 18 percent rise compared to the first half of last year.

Speaking during the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers 8th annual general meeting on Wednesday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said the figures meant farmers were on course to achieving the targeted 93 million litres.

“The figures that we saw today are very pleasing, with 18 percent growth in milk production in the first six months of this year, which means that we are on course to achieving 93 million litres this year compared to 79 million litres achieved last year,” he said.

Minister Masuka said the country’s milk demand was estimated at 120 million litres a year.

“Because of the dairy sector strategy, with the Government’s support we will be able to meet this target by 2024-2025,” he said.

Minister Masuka encouraged farmers to come up with new ideas and to produce their own dairy feeds to cut costs and reduce the milk prices on the markets.

Dairy farmers in attendance at the AGM appreciated the Government for funding and other forms of support, as part of measures to drive expansion of the industry.

Dairy farmer from Matabeleland, Mrs Dorothy Mufanochiya, said they were thriving in the dairy milk business and her farm was producing 266 litres per day.

“We started dairy farming in 2013 using beef cattle,” she said. 

“With time we invested into dairy cows, we increased volumes. Dendairy came into our region and helped and sorted supplies for them.”

Mrs Mufanochiya said they received DRP cows through the Government which were imported from South Africa and these helped them grow their dairy farming business.

“Challenges we are facing are that in our region we do not receive much rainfall, so to produce our own feeds we need irrigation backup,” she said.

“To cut costs, the already made food is expensive. ZADF came on to help us come up with a solution and they gave us a nutritionist. 

“We came up with a formulation and it boosted our cows from 12 litres per cow per day to 18 litres.” 

Dairy farmer from Manicaland Mr Shepard Mutasa said they were milking 85 dairy cows on his farm and they are producing 2 000 litres a day.

“We started dairy farming through the help of a loan we received from the AFC,” he said. 

“We produce milk and supply to Dairibord and business is running smoothly. Supplying Dairibord gave me enough capacity to buy a 100-hectare farm.”

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