March 28, 2025

 

Zimbabwe's milk production set to exceed 2023 levels

 

Milk production in Zimbabwe is expected to surpass the 114 million litres recorded last year, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen the dairy sector.

 

The national target stands at 150 million litres per year, exceeding the annual requirement of 131 million litres.

 

The increase in production is attributed to government initiatives and strategic interventions aimed at boosting the industry. According to the latest figures from the Dairy Services Unit, milk production has risen from 18,337,826 litres during the same period last year to 18,461,509 litres this year, marking an increase of 123,683 litres.

 

Milk intake by processors has also grown, reaching 16,893,546 litres compared to 16,854,809 litres recorded last year. Additionally, direct retail sales by producers have increased from 1,483,017 litres to 1,567,963 litres, reflecting positive growth in the industry.

 

Zimbabwe's Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, stated that the upward trend in milk production aligns with the government's commitment to reducing imports. He noted that increased production supports the broader goal of import substitution and sectoral growth.

 

Several factors have contributed to this growth, including greater adoption of dairy farming and increased government support. The national herd has expanded through the importation of heifers, accelerating production and improving breeding stock.

 

Vice chairman of the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) Mashonaland West, Cloudious Burira, expressed confidence in the sector's future, crediting government measures for the continued rise in production. He highlighted the role of the European Union fund in training dairy farmers, noting that field officers had been deployed to educate farmers on milk production techniques and feed formulation.

 

ZADF national chairman Edward Warambwa echoed this sentiment, stating that the continued increase in production puts Zimbabwe on track to achieve milk self-sufficiency. He emphasised the need for policies that encourage investment in alternative energy technologies, such as solar grid systems and biogas, suggesting tax incentives and funding as key enablers.

 

Government efforts to support national herd growth include initiatives such as ensuring access to hybrid semen and vaccines, promoting pasture development, and prioritising power supply to dairy farms to maintain cold chain operations. The Presidential silage programme has also played a role, providing 1,500 smallholder dairy farmers with inputs for one hectare of silage, improving productivity in the sector.

 

An economist from the Zimbabwe Farmers' Union, Ms Nyasha Taderera, described these developments as significant progress for the dairy industry. She noted that the anticipated increase in production would reduce reliance on imported milk powders from South Africa, encourage greater milk consumption, and attract further investment in the sector.

 

Under the government's livestock recovery growth plan, milk production is expected to reach 150 million litres, while the dairy herd is projected to expand from 39,980 to 60,000 by 2025. Achieving these targets will require an estimated US$75 million in investment to sustain growth in the industry.

 

The combined efforts of the government and private sector stakeholders are driving progress in Zimbabwe's dairy industry, positioning it for continued expansion and long-term sustainability.

 

- The Herald