THE Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Ministry has indicated that dairy milk production increased by 19 percent in the first quarter on the back of interventions by both the public and private sectors.
Statistics from the ministry show that 15,9 million litres of milk were produced between January and March, up from 13,4 million litres during the same period last year.
Last year, 57,5 million litres of milk were produced, up from 55,5 million litres in 2014.
In the past seasons dairy farmers were negatively affected by depleted grazing, high costs of production, inadequate drinking water and lack of de-worming.
The increase was recorded despite that this season the country experienced an El Nino-induced drought.
The drought has not only affected livestock, but crops as well.
According to the Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Ministry, cumulative livestock deaths as a result of the drought have surpassed 19 000.
Sadly the numbers continue to increase, with the most affected areas including Masvingo, Chipinge South, Chiredzi, Mberengwa, Kezi, Beitbridge and Matopo.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) first vice-president Berean Mukwende said the increase in milk production was positive news for the sector.
“The growth of the agriculture sector this year was negatively affected by the effects of the drought and with dairy milk production on the rise it means a part of the sector is doing well,” he said.
“This is encouraging as this shows that some players are getting returns for their efforts.”
Prior to the Land Reform Programme, dairy farming was dominated by white commercial farmers, but the number of resettled farmers taking up the trade is increasing.
Before the programme, communal farmers kept small herds of domestic animals mainly for consumption and draught power in the fields.
Mukwende said despite the increase in dairy milk production, farmers were still faced with challenges inhibiting increased growth.
“Dairy farmers are affected mainly by the high cost of stockfeeds, electricity used in the storing of milk and machines for milking the cows,” he said.
“Stockfeeds are available on the market though the majority of smallholder farmers cannot afford them.
“In some areas, livestock farmers are receiving assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation in terms of stockfeeds.”
Dairy farmers have remained resilient despite challenges the sector is facing and have called on Government to establish one authority that regulates the sector for development and help cut costs.
There are several Government arms that regulate the dairy industry.
Currently dairy producers are paying levies to the Environmental Management Authority, Dairy Services Department, Agriculture Marketing Authority, local authorities and Zimbabwe National Water Authority, among others.
Experts contend that reviewing the Dairy Act, which was failing to cope with modern trends, would clarify the linkage between stakeholders and create opportunities for change.
Government was planning to review the Dairy Services Act to ensure it meets emerging trends worldwide.
The Act was last reviewed in 1977.
The dairy herd dwindled in the past decade as the agriculture sector was not spared the effects of illegal sanctions imposed against the country by the West.
The dairy sector, however, is projected to grow by seven percent in the next five years aided by an import levy recently introduced to discourage imports and enhance production.
Government plans to increase the national herd to 25 million in the next 20 years.
Mukwende said dairy farmers were also affected by livestock diseases which are rife during the summer season.
Tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, theileriosis and heartwater as well as other tick-related diseases like senkobo, sweating sickness and tick paralysis are rife in most local livestock rearing regions.
“It is standard procedure that milk producers only process milk obtained from disease-free animals, so if a farmer is to maximise on production, he/she has to ensure a disease-free herd,” said Mukwende.
Government has, however, in the past seasons, through the Veterinary Department, helped farmers vaccinate livestock for notifiable diseases such as anthrax, newcastle, rabies and foot-and-mouth.
The country requires between 10 and 12 tonnes of dipping chemicals per month.
In the past, Government used to supply dipping chemicals to communal and A1 farmers, while commercial and A2 farmers purchased their own.
During the wet season, cattle are dipped once every week, whereas in the dry season, they are dipped once every fortnight.