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Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
GOVERNMENT is working towards rebuilding the national dairy herd from 39 980 to 60 000 in the next five years, a Government official has said.
Speaking during the launch of the Presidential Command Silage and Pastures Scheme at Mafumise Primary School in Chipinge last week, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said despite the temporary setbacks encountered by dairy farmers in the past few years, Government has stepped in to help farmers boost production.
Deputy Minister Haritatos said the country is currently producing 79 million litres of milk annually against the nation’s consumption of 150 million litres.
He said diseases, poor animal genetics and poor mechanisation are the major challenges in the dairy sector.
“Over the next five-year period, there is a plan to rebuild the dairy herd from the current 39 980 to 60 000 through a combination of interventions largely driven by the private sector, with Government providing an enabling environment.
“The sector has robust plans for growth which include increasing the number of dairy cows through importation and local herd growth.
“Farmers will also be supported on feed production and formulation.
“Government has also approved access to inputs, mechanisation and irrigation facilities by small and large-scale dairy farmers through the Presidential Livestock Inputs Support Scheme in an effort to boost milk production,” he said.
Deputy Minister Haritatos said there is a ray of hope in the dairy sector as stakeholders have joined hands.
“Despite the four percent decrease of milk production between 2019 and 2020 due to drought and Covid-19, statistics in the third quarter of 2021 showed a growth of 6,7 percent in milk production,” he said.
During the launch of the event, 20 small-scale dairy farmers received inputs worth thousands of dollars.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Elder Gorimondo of Rusitu Dairy Scheme, hailed Government for the gesture.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Government for assisting dairy farmers. Livestock feed is very expensive and this development will see small-scale dairy farmers doubling their daily production,” she said.
Online Reporter