The Sunday News
Roberta Katunga, Senior Business Reporter
THE dairy sector’s annual production target of 68 million litres of milk is still on course with a 15 percent increase in production recorded in the first-half of the year to June, the Dairy Services Unit (DSU) said.
According to statistics released by the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services Dairy Services Unit, milk volumes for the first half of the year were 31 845 005 compared to last year’s 27 607 259.
DSU official Mr Addmore Waniwa said the increased herd as a result of importation which has seen the country importing about 4 000 heifers cattle from 2010 to date to beef up the national dairy herd was contributing positively to increased production.
“There has been a lot of investment into the sector, in terms of the herd and equipment and as a result producers are increasing production to ensure that they don’t have idle equipment lying around,” said Mr Waniwa.
Mr Waniwa said another factor contributing to the growth of the sector was the input credit scheme to farmers.
He said this has allowed farmers to produce and pay later.
Mr Waniwa applauded the Government support that the industry has received through the regulation of imports which has also led to increased milk production.
“The dairy industry has benefited from the monitoring of imports as the country is now only importing shortfalls of what we cannot make. Through this support farmers are able to produce more,” he said.
He said the availability of feed had also ensured that the animals are always fed to produce more as the by products of milling which are used to make stockfeed have been in stable supply.
The country has been importing grain from regional neighbours that include Zambia and Malawi.
He revealed that through all the efforts of the sector, they should be able to achieve a 10 million increase in volumes at year end with an annual target of 68 million litres compared to 58 million litres achieved in 2015 reducing the 52.5 percent deficiency of milk supply.
According to DSU statistics, milk intake by processors for the period January to June was 28 279 532l with the highest volumes in January at 4 873 774 litres compared to 4 154 097 litres in 2015 while milk retailed by produces was 3 565 473l.
