Online Reporter
Michael Tome
Zimpapers Business Hub
FARMERS have been advised to devise strategies aimed at reducing the milk rejection rate, which rose to 120 000 litres from 39 000 litres recorded last year, chiefly as a result of the detection of antibiotics in the commodity and adulteration.
The adulteration has been through the addition of water and other liquids to the product.
The two factors not only compromise the quality of the product, but also pose potential health risks to consumers.
The Government says farmers should come up with strategies to reduce the milk rejection rate, which rose to 120 000 litres in the first half of 2025 from 39 120 litres recorded in the whole of 2024.
This represents a nearly threefold rise in rejection rates.
The presence of antibiotics and adulteration were cited as the primary reasons for these rejections, which not only compromise the quality of the milk but also pose potential health risks to consumers.
The rejections are substantial, resulting in significant losses by farmers and processors, a situation that requires stakeholders to come together and devise effective strategies to address the issue.
Worries about the growing problem come as Zimbabwe’s dairy sector is facing numerous challenges, including prevalent animal diseases, lack of quality feed, low productivity and soaring production costs.
Generally, milk quality and production are adversely affected by limited access to high-quality feed.
The high cost of feed has made it difficult for farmers to afford the necessary nutrients for optimal milk production. At the same time, inadequate refrigeration is also a major issue, as raw milk needs to be cooled quickly after milking to prevent bacterial growth.
Unfortunately, many farms in Zimbabwe, particularly those of small-scale farmers, lack the necessary cooling infrastructure, leading to spoilage and contamination.
Addressing dairy sector stakeholders at the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) 11th annual general meeting, Dr Lawrance Dinginya, director (technical services), Veterinary Public Health, said mechanisms should be put in place to contain the ballooning rate of milk rejection.
“Dairy production figures show that this year alone 120 000 litres of milk have been rejected from just 39 000 litres in the same period last year. So, we have almost tripled the rate compared to last year, and that is not good news. The reasons given for those condemnations or rejections are mainly the use of antibiotics and the issue of adulteration. We need to come up with strategies for reducing the milk rejection rate . . . ,” said Dr Dinginya.
ZADF chief executive officer Mrs Paidamoyo Chadoka said farmers should be provided with education and training on best practices for milk production, quality control and farm management.
“Farmers should receive regular training and education to promote best practices in milk production. This involves practising hygiene and sanitation during the milking process to minimise contamination risks.
“To prevent milk contamination, it is crucial to use antibiotics judiciously. This means adopting responsible practices that minimise the risk of residues in milk. By maintaining strict milking hygiene standards, farmers can reduce the risk of spoilage and contamination, which results in higher-quality milk,” said Mrs Chadoka.
Red Dane representative Mr Ice Kirk advised farmers to prioritise milk quality over cost-cutting, warning against cheap feed and inadequate water provision, which can compromise milk quality.
“Farmers should not implement cost-cutting measures that compromise the quality of milk output. Do not say you are saving when you are buying low-quality feed because it is cheap. Do not say you are saving when you are not investing in the provision of quality water,” said Mr Kirk.
These developments come as the dairy sector in Zimbabwe is on a recovery path, with expectations of continued growth and increased self-sufficiency in the coming years.
Initiatives like the Presidential Silage Scheme; and the Transforming Zimbabwe’s Dairy Value Chain for the Future project, funded by the European Union, have played a key role in enhancing feed quality and supporting farmers.
Zimbabwe’s milk production reached 114,7 million litres in 2024, a 15 percent increase from the previous year. However, this still falls short of the national demand of 120 million litres-140 million litres per year.
Historically, the country produced over 260 million litres annually at its peak, but this declined to 37 million litres in 2008 due to herd losses. Recent trends show a recovery, with Dairibord’s raw milk purchases increasing by 49 percent to 42,2 million litres in 2024 and eight per cent to 9,95 million litres in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Dairibord accounts for 37 percent of the country’s raw milk purchases.
Online Reporter