Monze dairy farmers plan to double production

Monze dairy farmers plan to double production
Written by George Zulu in Monze
Saturday, November 08, 2008 6:25:59 AM

MONZE Dairy Farmers Cooperatives (MDFC) is working on plans to increase its milk production from 46,000 litres per month to 100,000 litres by the end of December this year. In an interview, MDFC manager Michelo Kasauta said the cooperative intends to increase the production of both sour and fresh milk by next month. He said the projected increase in fresh milk production is due to increased participation by small-scale dairy farmers in the district.

“The number of small-scale dairy farmers in the district has increased from 189 to 230 and this will result in the increased milk production especially during the rainy season when water and grass for our dairy animals is readily available in most parts of the district,” he said.

Kasauta said there were many other factors that would lead to the increase in milk production, among them the technical support received from co-operating partners such as the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust [GART] and government’s support to the sector.

He said dairy farmers were able to make and conserve animal feed using simple mechanisms for the dry season and that production of milk for the market had improved compared to the past years.

Kasauta also said increased investments in the dairy sector could ensure high production of dairy products for the local and export market for the benefit of farmers and consumers.

He also said the dairy co-operative had embarked on a small-scale production of yoghurt for local consumers.

Kasauta also commended the government for providing the cooperative with generators and other facilities for improved milk storage.

The Monze Dairy Co-operative has set up a milk collection point for its members in the area. Parmalat Zambia is one of the major buyers of milk from the Monze Dairy Co-operative for use at its dairy processing plants in the country.