Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe's dairy industry is experiencing a significant resurgence, with a 20 percent increase in milk output recorded during the first six months of the year.
This surge has propelled production levels to over 55 million litres, up from 45 million litres in the same period last year, thanks to various Government interventions aimed at revitalizing the sector.
Speaking to the Harare Post, Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union, Paul Zakariya, highlighted data from the National Dairy Association of Zimbabwe (NADF), which indicates that the country is on track to achieve over 100 million litres of raw milk this year, compared to 90 million litres produced last year.
"From January to June this year, monthly production has averaged at least 8 million litres. This is a significant improvement from last year, with the latest data showing more than 55 million litres produced for sale in the first six months, compared to 45 million litres in the same period last year.
"Although Zimbabwe requires at least 130 million litres of raw milk annually to meet its needs, the current growth trajectory underscores the authorities' commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in this essential commodity," Zakariya stated.
Zakariya emphasized Government's pivotal role in facilitating this growth, noting that the target for this year is within reach.
"The growth in national raw milk production is expected to be further bolstered by ongoing government support measures across the entire production value chain. This year's target is around 100 million litres, and we are confident it can be achieved given the Government’s continued commitment to introducing more support measures. However, the rise in stock feed costs remains a key concern, and we are calling on the authorities for assistance in this area," Zakariya noted.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the dairy industry are set to convene this week for their annual conference.
This event will provide a platform to assess current achievements, identify ongoing challenges, and discuss strategies to further boost production volumes.
Attendees will include Government ministers, private sector players, and development partners, all working together to formulate strategies aimed at reducing the import bill for dairy-related products.
The conference is expected to foster collaboration and innovation, driving the sector towards greater efficiency and productivity.
