Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
NATIONAL efforts to increase milk output are gathering pace, with Cynara Dairy Cooperative in Mutasa district reviewing its milk production targets to 300 000 litres, up from 67 000 litres in 2024, after receiving more financial support from government through the Zimbabwe Women’s Micro-Finance Bank.
Government support through the Presidential Silage Scheme and financial support through the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank has become a game changer for Cynara Dairy Cooperative after increasing its herd this March.
The farmers who received financial support to increase their herd by 28 cattle are optimistic of surpassing 300 000 litres this year.
“We are excited as Cynara Women in Dairy for the assistance from the government through the Women’s Bank because we did not have money to buy cattle. We are going to increase our milk production,” a dairy farmer said.
“We are going to improve productivity following support from the government. I had eight cattle, and I am receiving two to make them 10. This will improve milk production,” another dairy farmer said.
“We are producing 67 000 liters per year while milking our local breeds. With the support from the government through the Women’s Microfinance Bank. We have bought 28 cattle that will be delivered by March 15.
“This will increase our production to over 300 000 litres of milk per year. We have now bought pure breeds, and we thank the government for the silage programme,” Cynara Dairy Farmers Cooperative Chairperson, Francis Musunzuru said.
The governmentt is pleased with the impact of cooperatives in promoting agricultural productivity, pledging to continue supporting the growth of the dairy sector.
“I want to thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his visionary leadership that has led to the starting of cooperatives like these. War veterans are also part of this project that is transforming lives,” Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said.
“Milk production was a preserve of the whites, and it was only after independence that these cooperatives were started. The ruling party is the only political movement that prioritises local empowerment.
“President Mnangagwa always asks if we are empowering the rural communities. You should utilise our officers, and we have structures from head office to the grassroots. The Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank saw that this project is organised and viable hence its support,” the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Senator Monica Mutsvangwa
Since the rollout of government support programmes, milk production has increased from 37 million litres in 2009 to 115 million litres last year.
The increase in milk production comes at a time the country is making efforts to meet the national milk demand of about 150 million litres annually.
