ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwean dairy farmers have achieved 74% of the 2024 milk production target of 115 million liters, three months ahead of schedule.
According to the Dairy Services Unit (DSU), milk production for January to September 2024 increased significantly to 85 million liters, up from 71.9 million liters during the same period in 2023.
A closer look at the statistics shows that milk production in September 2024 grew by 10% compared to the previous year, with production reaching 9.8 million liters, up from 8.9 million liters in 2023.
The rise in milk production was attributed to the increased number of dairy cows in milk and heightened productivity throughout the year.
Of the total production, 92% of the milk was processed by dairy companies, while producers retailed the remaining 8% independently.
This shift in productivity underscores the progress made in Zimbabwe’s dairy industry, with notable resilience and enhanced knowledge among dairy farmers contributing to these advancements.
Edward Warambwa, the national chairman of the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF), commended farmers for their efforts.
He noted that despite a slight decline in production in September due to poor pasture conditions and limited water availability caused by the El Niño-induced drought, the industry remains on track to meet its annual target of 115 million liters.
He also expressed concerns about the profitability of dairy farming, citing increased production costs driven by rising feed prices and stagnant milk selling prices.
The scarcity of raw materials for feed processing, erratic power supplies, and deteriorating grazing conditions were major factors contributing to the temporary dip in output.
Warambwa also predicted a further decline in milk production in October, traditionally a lean month for dairy farming.
However, he remained optimistic about improved production in the final months of the year as the rainy season begins, which is expected to enhance pasture and water availability.
The ZADF’s records highlight the sector’s substantial growth over recent years. From 2017 to 2023, raw milk production surged by 51 percent, rising from 66 million liters to nearly 100 million liters.
The number of cows in milk also jumped by 122%, from 17,968 to 39,811, while the national dairy herd grew by 13.4%, surpassing the 2025 target of 60,000 dairy cows and 38,000 milking cows.
This growth aligns with the government’s push for local dairy production, a priority reflected in the 2023 budget introduced by Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube.
Ncube emphasized the importance of substituting dairy imports with increased local production and called on dairy processors to boost their intake of raw milk to 130 million liters annually by 2025.
Currently, Zimbabwe’s annual milk consumption stands at around 131 million liters, and experts predict that the country will be self-sufficient in milk production by the end of 2025.
Improved animal genetics, forages for better nutrition, and enhanced breeding techniques, including artificial insemination, are expected to contribute to this progress.
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