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THE GOVERNMENT has urged private players to start dairy production as there are huge opportunities for business in the sector.
A newly-unveiled project in Domboshawa has already employed 200 people, mainly from the area. This has charmed the Government which, through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate, wants to see more investment in this sector.
The Ministry’s Rural Development’s Chief Large Stock Specialist, Rutendo Nyahoda, stood on behalf of Permanent Secretary, Dr John Bhasera, at the official opening of the African Business Women Association (ABWA) dairy plant in Chiriseri Village, Domboshawa, on Wednesday.
“As you may be aware, the dairy industry contributes to food and nutrition security and is thus an important component of NDS1,” she said.
“In Zimbabwe, dairy farming forms an integral part of the livelihoods of our farming community and, with the necessary support, can be used as a tool in the government’s drive towards rural transformation into business hubs.”
Nyahoda said it was impressive that the local dairy sector was working with the Government to ensure adequate milk production in the country.
“I am happy that the local dairy sector, working with the Government, has embarked on a number of strategies to improve milk productivity, which is currently 13litres/cow/day to the ideal productivity levels of between 18-25litres/cow/day.
“These strategies include promoting on-farm feed production, dairy herd improvement programmes, value addition and diversified marketing.
“I am happy that ABWA has taken the steps to minimise the risk of the spread of milk-borne diseases by the establishment of its dairy processing plant that will ensure that milk and milk products are produced, processed, packaged and handled in accordance with the food laws and are safe for human consumption.
“ABWA Dairy is a clear demonstration of the transformation being envisaged by the Government. I congratulate ABWA for having grabbed this business opportunity, and being part of the journey towards self-sufficiency, in milk production.”
Nyahoda said the dairy plant will transform Chiriseri Village in Domboshava to be a rural development hub and create employment.
“I think the vision that is here is, for all those communities that are not here, to replicate what is happening here, I believe rural development will go far.
“I want to imagine the type of Zimbabwe that we will have in the next five years if we all venture into these types of businesses in our rural areas.
“We are glad as Government that this organisation has taken due regard to climate change in their agri-business practices, creating employment in the agricultural sector and initiating transformative corporate social responsibility projects.”
ABWA chief executive, Dr Shamiso Fred, said they intend to have a similar dairy project in other provinces.
“The response we have gotten from the chief, community and the Government, ever since we started this project, has been overwhelming and, as an organisation, we are happy we are officiating at this dairy plant today,” Dr Fred said.
“This project resonates very well with rural development because we have managed to employ approximately 200 employees, and most of them are locals, from this area.
“Most of the top leadership posts at the dairy plant are occupied by youth and women because we are trying to empower women and some of those who joined were not trained, we trained them and now they are good at what they do.”
Dr Fred saluted the Government for working with them on the project.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter