Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
THE country’s first quarter milk volumes rose 3 percent to 28 million litres from 27 million litres in the comparable period last year as hope for milk self-sufficiency through local production remains high.
The nation requires 131 million litres of milk to achieve self-sufficiency. It will need to increase production by 16 million litres from last year’s production of 115 million litres to achieve the goal.
Stakeholders in the industry are targeting a 15 percent increase in raw milk output this year to 132 million litres.
Statistics released by the Dairy Services Unit (DSU) recently showed that raw milk production increased from 27 301 904 litres in the first quarter of 2024 to 28 031 976 litres this year.
Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) national chairman, Mr Edward Warambwa, said the nation was still on track to achieve milk production self-sufficiency this year.
Explaining the one percent drop in production for the month of February, the ZADF chair said excessive rains received in February in some areas resulted in stress for the dairy animals.
“The decline might also be due to the African armyworm that affected pasture in some areas thus disrupting feeding regimes as well as some farmers drying animals due to viability challenges.
“We are confident that if pressing issues relating to milk pricing, cost of feed and power challenges are addressed, coupled milk production in the following months will improve,” he said.
The month-on-month volume rose 10 percent from 8 693 956 litres in February to 9 570 467 litres for March.
A comparison of March volumes show that production rose 6,76 percent from 8 964 115 litres last year to 9 570 467 litres this year.
“The good rains received this year and currently being received in some places are quite helpful, pastures are in good condition and also the crop for fodder and silage is in good condition,” said Mr Warambwa.
“What is important is to ensure that there is preservation of feed to ensure that it sustains throughout the year.”
The ZADF chair said prices of feed are likely to come down but might not come down to where they were before the drought last year due to the current impact of the turbulent macro-economic environment and price distortions resulting from the unstable currency.
Mr Warambwa said ZADF in collaboration with development partners, Government and private sector has launched the breeding strategy aimed at supporting independent dairy breeders working on improving dairy genetics and herd growth.
To support the growth of the sector, Mr Warambwa said Government must come up with policies that promote and support investment into alternative energy technologies such as solar grid system and biogas usage.
“This can be achieved through offering tax incentives to investors and availing funding to support such investments. Tax incentives can be extended to irrigation systems development and farm road improvements as well as mechanisation,” he said.
Government has been supporting national herd growth through breeding support, ensuring access to hybrid semen and vaccines, pasture development through input support programmes for all classes of dairy farmers as well as through support in prioritisation of power to dairy farmers to maintain cold chain.
“For dairy sector to thrive there is need to avail patient capital to fund the following investments; breeding support to improve genetics, increase local herd through artificial insemination (AI), refurbish of milk collection centres and procurement of bulk milk tanks and milking machines, fencing to control animal movement and reduce spread of diseases, dip tank rehabilitation as well as spray race structure to control disease out breaks,” the ZADF boss said.
