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Business Reporter

National milk production has been consistently higher this year with output having increased by 12 percent in the first six months compared to the same period last year.

From January through to June 2018, output has been higher in each month with February and May being the outstanding months in terms of year-on-year growth after growing by 20 percent and 16 percent respectively.

The highest milk production was in January when 6 086 385 litres of milk were produced, up 10 percent from the comparative prior year.

February was the lowest at 5 263 450 litres but still recorded the biggest growth of 20 percent.

Production in March at 5 662 186 hardly moved from the comparative prior year of 5 660 330.

According to statistics from the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers, milk production for the first 6 months was up 12 percent to 34 771 019 litres from 31 193 733 prior year comparative.

“The increase can be attributed to efforts being made by all players in the industry in striving to achieve our target of doubling milk production by year 2022,” said ZADF.

Under the umbrella of ZADF, dairy farmers plan to double national milk production by 2022 as it positions itself to meet local demand as well as export into the region.

The dairy farmers say they need at least $46 million for them to be able to double the country’s milk production within the five years.

In 2017, the national dairy production was 67 million litres against national demand of 120 million litres, but ZADF, in its Strategic Plan (2018–2022) plans to grow production to 131 million litres.

As part of the strategic plan, farmers are planning on increasing the herd size and quality (breed) of animals, implementation of more efficient production systems and influencing a conducive policy and regulatory environment for dairy farmers.

ZADF says the bulk of the funds amounting to $26,5 million will be used to increase the dairy herd by 14 000 heifers in three years’ time.

A total $18,5 million will be channelled towards capacitating dairy farmers with appropriate machinery.

“However, considering that the total volume for the first six months contributes 49,7 percent of the annual national demand of 120 million litres, more needs to be done,” said ZADF.

There has been a steady growth in milk production in the country in the past few years.

According to the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers, total milk production rose 4 percent to 58 million litres in 2015 from 2014’s 56 million litres.

Last year, milk production further improved to 65 million litres.

Milk production in Zimbabwe experienced a dip from the early 1990s peak of 260 million litres annually to an estimated 50 million litres to 65 million litres as the industry battle challenges that have been bedevilling the economy in the past decade.