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Edgar Vhera-Agriculture Specialist Writer

THE potency of Government-initiated and private-sector led interventions in the dairy sector is beginning to show with milk volumes rising by 27 percent from seven million litres in February 2023 to nine million in February this year.

Statistics released by the Dairy Services Unit (DSU) yesterday showed that milk production had increased from 6 957 773 to 8 810 593 litres. This comes after a 17 percent increase in January when volumes rose from 8 140 041 to 9 527 233 litres.

For the first two months of the year, milk production has risen 21 percent from 15 097 814 to 18 337 826 litres.

Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) national chairman, Mr Edward Warambwa, said the increase in milk production can be attributed to previous investments targeted at herd growth, improved efficiency and operations management through provision of pluralistic extension services as well as improved animal health management. 

“There was, however, a month-on-month decline this year due to deteriorating pasture condition and water availability as a result of El Nino conditions coupled with sluggish milk prices against increasing costs of production. In managing their feed bill and business viability, farmers tend to reduce the quantity of feed,” the ZADF chair said.

They were expecting the downward trend to continue into the second quarter of the year if the cost of production versus producer price challenges were not addressed. 

ZADF continues to engage the Government and dairy value chain stakeholders to ensure viability at farm level.

Computations on the expected annual growth is ongoing as the industry and Government are taking into consideration possible drought relief interventions. 

The El Nino induced drought has also affected neighbouring countries that Zimbabwe relies on for stockfeed raw materials like brans and cake. 

A reduction the in availability of these from source countries will also affect supply to the country’s dairy value chain, negating milk production and productivity.