Zimbabwe is ramping up efforts to achieve milk self-sufficiency and expand its dairy sector under the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS2).
Speaking at the IDF Africa 2026 forum, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said Zimbabwe’s dairy industry is undergoing a significant transformation anchored on productivity, value addition and market expansion.
“Zimbabwe has made notable progress in rebuilding its dairy sector, with milk production increasing from 60 million litres to 150 million litres by 2025, reflecting the positive impact of targeted interventions under the AFSRTS2 framework,” said Prof Jiri.
He said the strategy is focused on closing productivity gaps across the dairy value chain while positioning the country for competitiveness on regional and global markets.
“Our thrust as Government is to ensure milk self-sufficiency through deliberate investments in production efficiency, improved genetics, feed systems and strengthening of value chains.
At the same time, we are creating an enabling environment for private sector participation, which is critical for sustainable growth,” he said.
Prof Jiri noted that the transformation agenda goes beyond increasing volumes, placing emphasis on beneficiation and industrialisation.
“The focus is not just on producing raw milk, but on enhancing value addition through processing into various dairy products that can meet both domestic demand and export requirements,” he added.
He noted that Zimbabwe is leveraging its agricultural potential to drive food sovereignty and reduce reliance on imports.
“The AFSRTS2 is designed to ensure that Zimbabwe attains food sovereignty by building resilient agricultural systems that can withstand shocks while delivering consistent outputs,” Prof Jiri said.
He highlighted that investment opportunities in the dairy sector are expanding, particularly in areas such as processing, cold chain systems and feed production.
“We are inviting investors to partner with us in scaling up dairy production and processing, as the sector presents immense opportunities for job creation, rural industrialisation and economic growth,” he said.
Prof. Jiri further underscored the importance of aligning Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation with continental and global trends.
“Our ambition is to integrate into regional and international markets by producing competitively priced, high-quality dairy products that meet global standards,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s dairy industry has been on a recovery path following years of decline, with Government implementing reforms under the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy to boost productivity, attract investment and enhance food security.
