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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
SMALL-scale dairy farmers in Mutasa are set to increase production following a commitment by Government to support their activities under the Command Agriculture programme.

Tsonzo Small-Scale Dairy Farm in Mutasa was placed under Command Agriculture as a pilot programme by Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri during his visit to the province last week.

Minister Shiri visited Makoni, Mutasa and Buhera districts in Manicaland last week to assess agriculture projects in the province.

Addressing farmers at Tsonzo Dairy Collection Centre in Mutasa, Minister Shiri said the pilot project would be reviewed once the authorities were satisfied with its production.

“I have toured the Makunike homestead and saw his dairy project. I realised and leant new things about dairy farming,” said Minister Shiri.

“We came here at the collection centre and also witnessed what is happening. I was told of the challenges that dairy farmers are facing and among them is shortage of stock feed.

“Farmers appealed to be placed under the Command Agriculture programme. I said, what if we try them under the programme. But we said let us start as a pilot project. So, the Command programme is coming here in Mutasa.

“Other dairy farmers from across the country should take a leaf from the Makunike Dairy Farm and learn how best we can increase our milk production in the country.”

Minister Shiri said local producers were only producing 65 million litres a year, when the country was consuming about 145 million litres per year.

“I was liaising with officials from my office about how we could increase our milk production. They told me that we should utilise our small-scale dairy producers to increase our production.

“Now that I have seen it, I think this is the way to go,” he said.

Minister Shiri said there was need for companies to come through and buy the farmer’s produce.

He said once that was done, there would be continuity in terms of production. Minister Shiri said there was need for unity of purpose for small-scale farmers to attain higher yields.