BY SAMUEL NJINGA
Zimbabwe’s dairy sector is undergoing a powerful resurgence, with Masvingo emerging as one of the fastest-growing regions for milk production. Latest statistics from the Dairy Services Unit under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development show that milk output nationwide rose by 21% in the first five months of 2024, reaching 45.85 million litres, up from 38 million litres over the same period last year.
In Masvingo, the dairy transformation is being spearheaded by smallholder farmers and religious institutions investing in modern farming techniques and sustainable production systems.
One of the flagship projects is Cheek Mbungo Enterprises, run by the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) just outside Masvingo city. Started in 2021 with only 13 cows, the project now boasts a 76-head dairy herd producing 12,600 litres of milk every month. It is a testament to how targeted investment, proper feed management, and collaboration with veterinary and agricultural experts can yield exponential growth.
“We grow our own lucerne and maize silage, which has drastically cut our feed costs. We used to spend up to US$0.70 per litre to produce milk, now we’re at around US$0.50. This makes our milk competitive and sustainable,” said project coordinator Hubert Moyo..
During this year’s World Milk Day commemorations held in Masvingo on 1 June 2024, Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, commended local farmers for their “dedication and resilience” in growing the dairy industry despite adverse conditions like high feed costs, persistent drought, and limited infrastructure.
“Milk producers in Masvingo and across the country are the unsung heroes of our agricultural revival. Their resilience, innovation, and commitment are driving this remarkable turnaround in the dairy sector. We commend them and assure them of continued government support through livestock development programs, artificial insemination schemes, and infrastructure investment,” said Chadzamira.
He added that the provincial leadership was working closely with development partners and the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that farmers have access to reliable water sources, extension services, and affordable inputs.
The boost in production is not by accident. It comes on the back of deliberate interventions by both government and development partners. Through the Transforming Zimbabwe’s Dairy Value Chain for the Future (TranZDVC) project, co-funded by the European Union and IFAD, over 200 smallholder farmers in Masvingo and surrounding districts have received training, equipment, and artificial insemination support.
According to the Dairy Services Unit, artificial insemination alone contributed to a 9% jump in national milk production in 2023 and continues to enhance herd quality and yield into 2024.
“Farmers are now accessing top genetics at subsidised rates. We are seeing improved breeds, better fertility, and healthier calves, which will drive future growth,” said DSU provincial coordinator, Trymore Chikasha.
Faith-based organisations, notably the Zion Christian Church, are also transforming the sector. ZCC’s investment in dairy is part of its wider food security and economic empowerment strategy. The church is now planning to expand its Cheek Mbungo herd to 500 cows within the next two years.
In other districts, such as Gutu, Chivi and Zaka, over half a dozen emerging dairy initiatives supported by donor funding and technical training are setting up milk collection centres and feedlots, helping decentralise milk processing and reduce losses.
Nationally, Zimbabwe is aiming to reach 115 million litres by mid-2025, and eventually return to the pre-2000 production levels of 150 million litres annually. This would significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imported milk and dairy products, which still fill more than 30% of domestic demand.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Davis Marapira recently noted during the IDF–ISO Dairy Analytical Week in Victoria Falls that the country has crossed the 100 million litre mark for the first time in two decades. He cited ongoing investments of over US$50 million from both public and private actors.
“The success of the dairy sector lies in empowering smallholder farmers with modern techniques and infrastructure. We are seeing how community-based models in provinces like Masvingo are setting the pace,” said Marapira.
Despite the progress, dairy farmers face significant hurdles. The cost of feed still makes up more than 70% of total production costs. Erratic electricity supply, lack of cooling infrastructure in rural areas, and the effects of the El Niño-induced drought continue to hamper some operations.
However, stakeholders are hopeful that with continued support, consistent rainfall in coming seasons, and expansion of solar-powered processing facilities, these challenges can be mitigated.
Masvingo’s transformation from a marginal milk-producing province into a national growth engine is a story of determination, smart policy, and community involvement. As Zimbabwe moves toward dairy self-sufficiency, it is the resilience of its farmers—praised by Minister Chadzamira—that will ultimately define the sector’s future. (5 june 2024)
“Our farmers are showing the nation what is possible with vision and grit. Masvingo is not just producing milk—it’s producing hope,” Chadzamira said.