by Rungano Dzikira

Zimbabwe Dairy Industry Trust (ZDIT) is set to import sexed semen which guarantee female calves at birth in an effort to boost the national head as well as milk production in the shortest possible time.

“Among other initiatives, milk producers are considering importation of sexed semen which guarantee female calves when cows give birth in an effort to reach our targeted milking herd by 2022,” said ZDIT chairperson Theodora Marimo.

“This move will ensure that the country becomes milk self-sufficient by 2022, because apart from this, the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) is also in the process of importing embryos from South Africa in order to boost the national herd, while individual farmers are also coming up with different programmes,” Marimo said.

The country is currently piggybacking on imports and the Diary Revitalisation Project (DRP) which saw the importation of 400 calf heifers to boost milk production.

Of the 400 calves, 235 female calves have been produced, adding to the national herd, and milk production.

Last year, milk production stood at 66 million litres and this year has recorded a slight increase to more than 70 million litres.

Mr Marimo added that the country currently had adequate processing capacity to meet the local demand for liquid milks (UHT, Fresh, Sterilised and fermented) as well as other milk products like yoghurts, ice cream, cream and dairy juices.