By Donald Nyarota.
MUTARE. (News Of The South) – The eastern region is currently contributing at least 18 percent of national monthly raw milk output despite suffering a 25 percent decline in production in the past decade.
Currently the province is producing 810 000 litres of raw milk per month constituting 18 percent of the monthly national milk production standing at 4,5 million litres, statistics obtained from the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF).
The 2014 statistics further indicated that the eastern region recorded a 25 percent decline in production as compared to 2005, while the country is managing a mere production of 54 million litres per annum against a national demand of 250 million litres.
This continuous decline led to closure of Dairibord Mutare Factory in 2013 as less raw milk made its way to its plant following the fast-track land reform programme which also led to a drastic decline of the provincial herd triggered
In a bid to boost its milk output ZADF, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed dairy processor, imported 250 heifers which were distributed to 10 farmers across all provinces, with insignificant changes in the eastern region.
“The eastern region has registered a 25 percent decline in milk production as compared to 2005. This is mainly due to a reduction in herd size and high feed production costs.
“Currently, the province is contributing 18 percent of the monthly national milk production,” reports ZADF.
They further indicated that Manicaland Province has eight registered processors and 26 dairy processors.
A snap survey conducted by this paper shows that less than 10 farms – that are inter alia – into dairy farming are operating but at a low scale. These farms are situated in Makoni, Nyanga, Vumba and Mutasa.
This has been exacerbated by the fact that most A1, A2 and old scheme farmers are financial incapacitated to procure heifers, which cost up to US$2,000 per head.
Manicaland Business Action Group (MBAG) chairperson Charles Tavazadza buttressed said the provincial dairy head has recorded a drastic decline over the past years.
“We don’t have the capital to beef up the (provincial) dairy head. Each head cost about US$2,000 to import from Cape Town, South Africa,” he said.
Tavazadza said MBAG has been mobilised dairy farmers in the province to formulate home grown solutions on how to resuscitate dairy farming in the region.
ZADF chairperson Craig Follwell also said the association has partnered with government to boost the declining dairy head and milk production, which is the cornerstone of the sector.
The current national dairy herd stands at 26 502 – a decline from the 192 000 recorded in the early 2000s.
3 155 of the dairy cows and heifers are in the small-holder sector, while 25 706 cows and heifers are in the commercial sector.
“We intend to win back our home market of dairy products and to restore its competitiveness and confident that dairy products will once again become self-sufficient in five years-time,” said Follwell.
He said ZADF is working closely with government “to seek funding for the development of the dairy sector.”
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Paddy Zhanda also said government had partnered the private sector in setting up the Dairy Development Fund to issue loans to small scale farmers.
“The purpose of the dairy fund is to improve farmers’ access to capital for various activities at their farms, especially infrastructure development,” said Zhanda who specialises in livestock under his portfolio.
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