Demand for milk grows

NYASHA KUNYISWA

Zimbabwe’s dairy industry is expecting an increase in the demand for milk on the back of a projected improvement in the economy, Business Times can report

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube, has projected that the economy would grow by 5.5% this year, driven by agriculture, mining and tourism.

The dairy industry is estimated to have produced 80m litres of milk last year and is projected to reach about 85m litres in 2022, according to Admore Waniwa, the principal dairy officer for Veterinary Services.

“In terms of demand, we are still far short. But, we are seeing  increased demand for milk. Population growth is resulting in an increased demand for milk. As the economy improves, there is higher demand for milk as people have more disposable income. So, we are seeing increased demand for milk products,” Waniwa said.

He said at the beginning of last year volumes were depressed in the first quarter as the excessive rains affected milk production.

As the year progressed, there was a gradual increase of milk production which continued up to the end of 2021 Waniwa told Business Times this week.

He  urged the farmers to deploy an efficient productive system due to unpredictable weather conditions which affect livestock breeding.

“I urge farmers to practice silage farming due to weather conditions the country is experiencing, which affects the livestock production,” Waniwa said.