adminZimbabwe Stock Exchange listed milk processor, Dairiboard Zimbabwe Limited (DZL) has ruled out contract farming for raw materials needed to produce its Maheu brand in the 2015/16 cropping season.
Maheu is a traditional drink made from maize meal, sorghum, sugar, milk solids, lactic acid, preserved with potassium sorbate and natamyncin.
The drink has become a hugely popular traditional non-alcoholic beverage in most sub-Saharan countries.
Fermentation provides a distinctive acidic or sour flavour to the drink and most people usually add sugar to taste.
DZL said it would continue to get the malt needed for making the Pfuko maheu brand from its traditional suppliers.
“DZL will not venture into contract farming despite having launched Maheu brand, which requires sorghum, maize and other raw materials but will continue to get malt from Delta beverages until that position is reviewed,” said an official who declined to be named.
Last year, DZL said it invested close to $500 000 for its Pfuko/Udiko Maheu plant to increase the contribution of non-milk valued-added product lines.
At the moment, DZL supports dairy farmers with heifers.
DZL accounts for 40 percent of the 54 million litres of raw milk produced in Zimbabwe.
According to statistics from the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF), the national herd stands at 5,3 million but only 0,05 percent (26 502) are dairy cows that produce 54 million litres per annum compared to 256 million litres in 1990. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter