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Wimbainashe Zhakata Mutare Correspondent
THE country has witnessed a steady increase in milk production this year, recording a nine percent rise between January and May.

According to statistics from the Dairy Services Unit (DSU), the total milk production for sale between January and May reached 32 434 060 litres, up from 28 760 441 litres last year.

DSU principal dairy officer Mr Addmore Waniwa confirmed the development in an interview with The Herald.

He attributed the increase to “various developmental activities being undertaken in the dairy sector, which include importation of dairy cows by individual farmers, processors and increased extension support from the private and public sector”.

Mr Waniwa said the local production is at 63 percent of the national demand.

According to the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) Strategic Plan of 2018–2022, there are plans to grow the national production to 131 million litres.

January recorded the highest increase after 6 709 436 litres were produced. Milk retailed by producers this year declined from 3 073 036 litres last year to 3 025 316 litres this year.

However, the milk intake by processors added up to about 6 094 365 litres in January.

So far this year, a total of 32 434 060 litres have been produced, compared to 28 760 441 during the same period last year.