Govt to partner dairy farmers

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau

Government is considering partnering dairy farmers in Mutasa district to increase milk production and facilitate the reopening of the Mutare dairy plant, which was shut down in 2013.

Dairibord Zimbabwe closed is Mutare and Bulawayo depots as a cost containment measure since milk production in the face of declining milk production.

All milk being produced in Manicaland is now being processed at the company’s Chipinge plant were the Sterimilk brand is produced.

Manicaland provincial administrator Mr Edgars Seenza said farmers in Tsonzo, Mutasa, had improved milk production over the years and were keen to partner with Government to continue growing the industry and its value    chain.

“Dairy farmers from Mutasa came here and presented their projects. They are eager to work with us. For now, our milk production is not enough to meet demand, but we have struck a deal with a Mozambican dairy producer to supply raw milk to the Dairibord Chipinge plant. However, that plan was derailed by Cyclone Idai which affected his herd, so he is currently restocking.

“Once the project is up, we want the milk coming from the producers in the province to supply the Mutare plant so that we resuscitate it,” he said.

He said Manicaland at one time produced the best cheese in Southern Africa and this should be revived.

“ Why should we continue to import cheese when we can do it and actually get forex from that?” said Mr   Seenza.

At peak the nation had a dairy herd of 192 000 which produced over 150 million litres annually. Currently, production is at about 75 million litres from a dairy herd that is slightly above 32 000.

Mr Seenza said the farmers in Tsonzo are also considering to establish a biogas for the generation of electricity from cow dung.

“The farmers have said we can make use of the cow dung to make electricity. They have come forward so that we can work together. These are ideas we need to develop our province and they are coming from the people. Such projects will be presented to the Provincial Development Committee for consideration,” he added.