Govt challenges dairy farmers to increase production
DOREEN NAWA
Lusaka
EACH Zambian consumes an average of just three litres of milk per capita, according to the Ministry of Livestock, highlighting both the low level of domestic consumption and the untapped growth potential in Zambia’s dairy industry.
The consumption is far below countries like Denmark, where per-capita milk consumption is about 395 kilogrammes a year.
Despite the low consumption rate, the ministry said Zambia continues to import milk, including from Uganda, exposing a gap between domestic production and market requirements that the industry wants to close through higher productivity, improved genetics, investment and value addition.
Ministry of Livestock Permanent Secretary Max Choombe said Zambia must increase productivity if the country is to reduce its dependence on imported milk and eventually become an exporter.
“We need to start exporting. We need to start value addition. We need to do a lot of things that bring money into our farmers’ pockets and also improve the nutrition of the community,” Dr Choombe said.
He challenged farmers to focus on productivity rather than simply increasing herd sizes, saying the number of animals a farmer keeps does not necessarily determine the amount of milk produced.
Dr Choombe said better feeding and management are critical, noting that farmers could achieve higher output with fewer, well-managed animals.
“Why should we import milk from anywhere? I want to challenge you that we should stop. Let’s improve on our productivity so that we stop importing milk from anywhere,” he said at the launch of the Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ) 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, which seeks to position the industry for domestic self-sufficiency by 2027 and exports by 2028.
The strategic plan followed government directive for the association to develop a roadmap that would address barriers to commercialisation and support a more competitive dairy industry.
Major constraints include low productivity, limited access to finance, inadequate extension services, poor breeding systems and weak market infrastructure.
“The plan seeks to position the Dairy Association of Zambia as a key player and strategic partner in achieving the dairy agenda,” DAZ board chairperson Doreen Kabunda said.
The strategy was anchored on reform, sustainable growth and sector development, while strengthening DAZ’s financial sustainability.
DAZ chief executive officer Victor Ng’andu said the association has recorded growth, with membership increasing from about 3,300 to 7,000, while formal milk marketed through the sector has risen from approximately 44 million litres to 96 million litres.
However, Mr Ng’andu said productivity remains a major challenge, citing livestock census figures showing average milk production of about 1.7 litres per animal.
“We need more production because currently we are now at 36 liters from 19 litres per capita milk consumption,” Mr Ng’andu said.
The sector needs stronger genetics, technical support for smallholder farmers, improved market formalisation and greater access to finance.
Government is also expected to strengthen breeding services, with Dr Choombe announcing plans for more modern artificial insemination plants like the one in Mazabuka.
