Freedom Mashava, Visuals Editor 
ZIMBABWE is planning to double milk production in the next two years after securing support from the European Union (EU).
Kudzai Chirima, the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers ZADF chairperson, said his organisation was focusing on implementing its 201 to 2022 strategic plan — doubling national milk production at the right quality and right price. “The association also is collaborating with relevant policymakers and stakeholders who support the implementation of the Dairy Strategic Plan,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s dairy herd comprises of 27 03 pure breeds and 11 947 cross breeds, making a total of 39 000 dairy cows in Zimbabwe.
ZADFs key activity is the procurement and distribution of breeding heifers to improve the quantity and quality of the national herd. Under the EU-funded Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme ZAGP, 00 heifers will be procured and matched by integrators resulting in a herd increase of 1000 dairy cows. Goran Forssen, We Effect country representative, said he was confident Zimbabwe’s milk production market share will increase by 100 percent in 2022. “Domestic milk production market share to increase from 63 percent 7,4 million litres 201 to 100 percent, 120 million litres in 2022,” he said at the handover of heifers from South Africa to Prodairy and Nestle who in turn will match the heifers and distribute 110 heifers to 12 small scale farmers.
As part of the programme, the dairy sector, including milk collection centres and small-scale producers, will be supported over a four-year period in terms of equipment and infrastructural development. We Effect also handed over 0 heifers to Dendairy in wekwe for distribution to 10 small scale farmers. “We are expecting a second consignment of 95 in calve heifers within 14 days, which will be handed over to Dairibord and Kefalos for distribution to another 26 small scale farmers,” added Forssen.
Zimbabwe’s dairy herd comprises of 27 03 pure breeds and 11 947 cross breeds, making a total of 39 000 dairy cows in Zimbabwe. Of these, 1 000 cows are milking and Zimbabwe is currently producing 6,7 million litres of milk per month, translating to over 0 million litres a year. Milk production levels have dramatically declined from the early 1990s peak of 260 million litres per year as the industry struggles to recover from the devastating impact of the chaotic land reform programme and economic turmoil.
