TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Government is committed to supporting the dairy sector, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube has said, amid a surge in milk output.
Raw milk production increased to 91.6m in 2022 from 79.6m achieved in 2021.
“On behalf of the government, I would like to state that we are committed to the sustainable development of the dairy sector to generate widespread benefits for people,” Ncube said at the World Milk Day commemorations held in Bulawayo last week.
She added: “This is evidenced by the endorsement of the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam at the World Milk Day celebrations held in Harare in June 2017.To this end, our farmers are committed to increasing milk production through sustainable dairy farming.”
Ncube urged processors and producers to continue to adhere to the existing regulations on effluent disposal
“ Dairy farmers recognise that a cow’s comfort and health is very important to their overall sustainability efforts because healthy and well-treated animals produce healthy milk. When it comes to animal care, nutritious diets, healthy living conditions and good veterinary care are practices routinely used by our farmers to keep their herds healthy.
“Nutrition, agriculture and sustainability are no longer separate conversations. We can each play a role making choices on the farm, factories and in our homes that help us preserve our environment for future generations,” Ncube said.
She commended the dairy industry for its diligence in contributing towards the country’s food security by working hard in turning around the sector which was on the wane.
Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers regional chairperson, Alex Dando, said: “Despite some persistent challenges, dairy farmers in the country continue to be motivated and inspired to increase milk production through the support from Government programmes, private sector and development partners’ intervention.”
Under the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan, milk production is intended to rise from the obtaining annual production of 79,9m litres to 150m litres, and increase the dairy herd to 60 000 by 2025.
The Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan is part of the Agriculture Food Systems Transformation Strategy that seeks to achieve an US$8,2bn agriculture economy by 2025 to ensure attainment of Vision 2030.
