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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 24037, member: 2262"] Zimbabwe's Small Dairy Farms Lead Value-Addition Push. Small dairy farmers across Zimbabwe are turning raw milk into high-value products, boosting both their income and the nation's dairy sector. These farmers help meet the country's annual demand of 150 million liters of raw milk. At places like the Rusitu Dairy Scheme in Chipinge, farmers bring fresh milk each morning. Here, they create yogurt, cheese, and local dairy treats. These centers provide jobs and steady earnings for rural areas. "Value addition means higher earnings for farmers," said Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development. He aims to link farmers directly with processing facilities to strengthen agriculture. Yet barriers exist. Milk spoils fast and needs quick transport. Many farmers face delivery problems. Big processors lack space to handle rising milk volumes. The government plans to fix these issues through better roads and new processing plants. This will help farmers deliver milk faster and keep products fresh. Feed costs remain a major challenge, taking up 78 percent of production expenses. Professor Jiri suggests farmers grow their feed ingredients, such as soybeans and sunflowers, to cut costs. Farm experts teach better methods to boost milk output and quality. They help farmers learn new production skills and smart farming practices. Zimbabwe wants to reach 220 million liters of milk production by 2025. With improved farming methods and processing, small dairy farmers lead this growth, making better products for local markets. Through these steps, farmers earn more money and help feed their communities. Their work supports both rural families and Zimbabwe's food supply. [/QUOTE]

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