eBusiness Weekly
Business Writer
Sable Chemicals has an ambitious plan to establish a dairy farm aimed at producing 65 million litres of milk per annum by the year 2025.
If successfully implemented, such a project would mean Zimbabwe, which currently requires roughly 120 million litres of milk, would be milk self-sufficient. Dairy farmers produced 79,6 million litres in 2021, representing a 4 percent increase from the 76,69 million litres produced in 2020.
With lack of funding singled out as a major threat to milk production, the Government has since partnered with the private sector in the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to boost milk production in the country, with the cow herd poised to grow to around 30 000 cows.
Sable Chemicals, which is looking for funding, plans to invest US$65 million on a 5 000ha dairy farm in Sherwood Midlands Kwekwe, Zimbabwe.
The ambitious project was presented to pension funds three weeks ago by Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency acting chief executive officer, Duduzile Shinya.
In presenting the project, Shinya said Sable Chemicals had gotten a letter of support and endorsement from the Government of Zimbabwe.
It now requires partners as well as finalisation of feasibility study and project funding.
Chief executive officer at Sable Chemical Industries, Bothwell Nyajeka could, however, not comment on the developments.
“I’m still waiting for a green light from our partners as we are under a confidentiality agreement,” said Nyejeka when contacted for comment.
The dairy sector in Zimbabwe continues to face numerous challenges, including high production costs, inefficient production systems, and a lack of long-term funding. Furthermore, factors such as a lack of water and stock feed, as well as erratic rains, have a negative impact on production.
Sable Chemicals was established in 1969 and is Zimbabwe’s sole manufacturer of Ammonium Nitrate (AN) fertilizer. It also produces alcohol-based sanitisers.
