MILK PRODUCTION INCREASES IN ZAMBIA

By Jessica Mwansa

TOTAL raw milk production has increased in recent years due to the growing demand for milk in the country, the Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ) has said.

In an interview with The Scoop, DAZ Executive Manager Jeremiah Kasalo revealed that an estimated 470 million litres of milk is produced per annum with the smallholder dairy sector accounting for 60-80 % of the raw milk production in the country.

Mr. Kasalo said smallholder milk production was mainly based on pastoral free grazing by local dairy breeds resulting in low milk yields and seasonal production but that with improved feeding, forest conservation, improved breeds, and cattle management, milk production by smallholder farmers could improve further.

“The dairy sector is a very critical sector in the livestock industry though there are many benefits, because milk is a commodity that is so much on demand, currently, we are not actually increasing our productivity but not enough to meet the increasing demand in the country.

“DAZ was created to established, to promote and protect the interests of its members in their various capacities as dairy producers, processors and equipment suppliers as long as they have an interest in the business of the dairy industry in the country in order to meet both the domestic demand of milk as well as the export demand,” Mr. Kasalo said.

He added that there was a need to facilitate a situation where farmers were allowed to produce milk and allow processors into the sector where other investors would come and carry on with the business of processing and also mopping up the huge volumes of lost milk which he said was traded informally.

He observed that in terms of volume, Zambia was producing about 280 million litres annually out of which 71 million litres was traded formally.

“The industry has recorded numerous improvements in terms of the increased number of dedicated smallholder farmers, dairy herds, milk collection capacity, milk processors as well as increased milk production compared to the previous years,” he said.

And Varun foods and beverages Zambia Head of Milk Procurement and Business Coordination Rohitash Singh said Zambia is a country which fulfils the needs of the industry.

“We have taken the vision to expand and make a plan which processes the milk and adds a lot of value to the milk. It is through the milk that we make yoghurt, cheese, super shakes among other value additions for both the local and export market.

“As the world is finding new ways to feed its growing population, Zambia continues to see tremendous growth in the agriculture sector, stimulated by growing middle class favourable Government policies, business interests from local agriculture entrepreneurs and abundant water and land resources in the Southern African region,” Mr. Singh said.

“Zambia’s geographic position makes it an excellent export platform for trade into neighbouring countries because it is a land-linked country at the heart of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and enjoys trade with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA),” he said.