CHIKOMBA – Agriculture transformation remains the government’s top priority because of its huge potential, deputy minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Vangelis Peter Haritatos said.

He was speaking at the 2021 Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) Small-scale Dairy Farmer of the Year Award ceremony at Marwa Farm at Nharira in Chikomba District in Chivhu won by Mrs Esther Marwa.

Minister Haritatos said the ZADF initiative encourages small-scale dairy farmers in Zimbabwe adding that not much growth has been seen in both dairy animal numbers and milk production from large-scale commercial
and small-scale holder sectors in the last decade.

“This was associated with the loss of valuable genetic material. The current production of 19 litres per cow per day by the 2021 Small-scale winner Mrs Marwa supports the growth plan for rebuilding the milk-dairy sector, strengthening and expanding the dairy rehabilitation programme,” Minister Haritatos said.

Zimbabwe’s smallholders contribute four percent to the dairy sector producing an average of between seven and 12 litres per cow daily. Mrs Marwa currently produces 19 litres per cow per day which is higher than the national large-scale sector milk production of 18 litres per cow per day. She is planning to increase it to 20 litres per day.

Because of the importance of the dairy industry and saving from imports, the government is now focussing on rebuilding herds in the large, medium
and smallholder sectors.

To achieve this, the Ministry is implementing the Silage and Pasture Production for Enhanced Milk Production under the Presidential Silage and Input scheme.

“The intention is to increase the supply of milk to 20 Milk Collection and Champion-hub centres, increase milk production, improve milk productivity, increase rural per capita income and improve household food security and nutrition,” the minister said.

“The most interesting and fascinating part of the story is that we are gathered here to witness the practical manifestation of the common mantra, “it can be done” in the definition of a fellow woman, Mrs Esther Marwa.

The minister lauded women in the Chikomba district for taking over and heeding the call to be active participants and not economic spectators.
“And for this, we remain proud of our women farmers.”

Minister Haritatos lauded ZADF for the transformative initiatives it is giving people.