adminShe said the national dairy herd had fallen down to 24 000 from 104 000 in 2002 which is the main reason for the country to import milk.
“We are currently producing an estimated 4,2 million litres of milk per month which is not enough since the market demand is about 7,5 million litres per month. The difference of about 3,2 million is being met through imports from Malawi, South Africa and Zambia,” said Mrs Shoko.
She said the company had embarked on a heifer importation project and milk reconstitution to increase its milk uptake.
“We have imported 250 heifers in the first phase which were allocated to dairy farmers under the loan scheme with Dairibord, the company is also undertaking milk reconstitution in an effort to increase the amount of milk available on the market,” she said.
She said Dairibord depended on the volumes of raw milk produced by dairy farmers which were not enough to satisfy market demand.
“We have over the years undertaken milk reconstitution which is a process whereby we import milk powders which we convert to liquid milk. This is all aimed at increasing the quantities of milk available for sale to our customers.
“Dairibord Holding has come with a strategy to counter milk and yoghurt shortages through harnessing synergies among its subsidiaries through importation of Dairibord Malawi product,” said Ms Shoko.
She said erratic supply of utilities such as electricity and water were a hindrance to the increased production of raw milk.
Last year dairy milk intake increased by 33 percent owing to improved operations and the fact that more farmers had joined the dairy industry.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter