LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
Zimbabwe’s milk production jumped to 21.5m litres in the first quarter of this year, reflecting a 20% increase from 17.8m litres reported in the prior comparative period, largely due to an increase in the dairy herd.
This was disclosed in the second crop and livestock assessment report.
“First quarter production increased by 20% to 21 458 939 litres in 2022 from 17 833 091 litres in 2021,” the second crop and livestock assessment report said.
The report also revealed that the national dairy herd increased 20% to 47 825 in 2021 from 39 856 in 2020.
The was also a 33% increase in dairy milking herd to 25 212 cows in 2021 from 19 000 cows in 2020.
Farmers are targeting to produce 85m litres of milk this year, against the national requirement of 120m litres.
The report also revealed that the national beef herd increased to 5 509 983 in 2021 from 5 478 648 cattle in 2020.
The average national cattle mortality rate declined to 8.86% in 2021 from 11.1% in 2020.
The national average calving rates remain very low ranging from 35% in communal areas to 48% in so far this year, against a national target of above 60%.
The grazing condition, the report said , was fair to good across all provinces.
Zimbabwe managed to get all the targeted Presidential tick grease inputs of 1 006 178kg.
The report said 353Mt of seed material is estimated to be harvested from velvet beans, 569Mt from lablab and 287Mt from sun hemp.
Water for livestock was adequate across the country in the reviewed period.
But, as the season progresses it is expected that there will be water challenges in areas where livestock is dependent on boreholes and seasonal water sources.
National average beef cattle off-take increased to 10% in 2021 from 9% in 2020.
Overall beef production , formal and informal slaughters, increased by 30% to 65 000MT in 2021 from 50 000MT in 2020 against a national target of 90 000MT by 2025.
The beef carcass weight increased to 168 kg in 2021 from 154kg in 2020 against the targeted average of 220kg.
This is as a result of the semi-commercial beef cattle production systems by farmers.
Overall pork production (formal and informal slaughters) increased by 12% to 16 074MT in 2021 from 14 347MT in 2020 against a national target of 22 000MT by 2025.
The report said safe havon production increased by 1% to 9 919MT 2021 from 9 812MT in 2020 against a national target of 10 000MT by 2025.
Chevon carcass weight was 12kg in 2021 against a national target of 16kgs by 2025.
This is as a result of the semi-commercial goat production systems by farmers.
Overall mutton production increased by 16% to 62.83MT 2021 from 53.95MT in 2020 against a national target of 800MT by 2025.
Mutton carcass weight increased to 17kg in 2021 from 16kg in 2020 against the targeted average of 22kg.
This is as a result of the semi-commercial sheep production systems by farmers.
Day-old chick production increased by 28% to 91.6m chicks in 2021 from 71.4m in 2020.
Day old chick prices increased by 58% to an average of US$90 per 100 chicks in 2021 from an average of US$57 per 100 chicks in 2020.
Broiler meat production increased by 32% to 143 500 tonnes in 2021 from 111 600 tonnes in 2020.
