Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe’s dairy sector is on a rebound, with a 15 per cent increase in raw milk production and a 13.4 per cent growth in the national dairy herd, government has said.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Davis Marapira said government initiatives such as the Presidential Silage Scheme are boosting yields and competitiveness in the dairy sector.
Addressing dairy stakeholders at the 11th Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers(ZADF) Annual General Meeting on Wednesday in Beatrice in Manyame district, Mashonaland East Province, Marapira said the industry now contributes four per cent to the national GDP and employs over 42,000 people and is an indication of its increasing key role in national economic development and food security.
National annual milk production increased by 52.5 per cent from 75.4 million litres in 2018 to about 115 million litres in 2024, against an estimated national demand of about 130 million litres per annum, according to the National Competitiveness Commission. This indicates a gap of about 15 million litres, which is being supplemented by imported raw milk from Mozambique and powdered milk from India and South Africa.
According to Zimbabwe’s Dairy Sector Strategic Plan (2021-2025) Zimbabwe produced over 260 million litres per year at its peak during the early 1990’s.
“The sector has made significant strides in working towards the National Development Strategy 1(NDS1) targets and is now transitioning towards NDS2, focusing on boosting milk yields, promoting value addition and enhancing climate resilience.”
Marapira also announced the recapitalisation of the Dairy Revitalization Fund—funded by a 5 per cent levy on dairy imports—and ongoing efforts to create accessible financing models.
However, the deputy minister bemoaned challenges still being faced by the sector. “The dairy sector has great potential to grow, but there is need to address challenges affecting farmers which include high cost of production, and high cost of borrowing and inadequate foreign currency. Stock feed is also a major cost in dairy production, accounting for 70 per cent of raw milk production.”
Addressing participants at the same event, Zimbabwe Dairy Industry Trust Chairperson Themba Mutsvairo called for greater innovation, including drought-resistant cattle breeds, affordable, and renewable energy solutions such as solar-powered cooling systems to lower operational costs.
Dairy sector stakeholders at the meeting pledged to drive the sector forward through cost effective feed production, accessible financing, and innovative technologies.
Annually, ZADF selects an outstanding individual to be honoured for a contribution to the dairy industry through awarding the Dairy Oscar Award. The 2025 Oscar Award winner is Christopher Hawgood, a dairy farmer in the Beatrice area.
ZADF chief executive officer, Paidamoyo Chadoka said Hawgood deserved the award. “Over the decades the farmer produced hundreds of millions milk litres feeding the nation and to date the dairy farmer produces over seven million litres of milk per annum which accounts for over 6 per cent of the national milk production,” she said.
“He has remained in the top five milk producers in Zimbabwe for years.”
New Ziana
