Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Engineer Peter. C. Kapala has appealed to the stakeholders to synchronize the fragmented milk production data that is prevailing in the dairy sector. In a speech read on his behalf by the Minitry’s Director for Livestock Development ,Mr Bornwell Mupeyo, at the ‘Farmers Meet 2026’ held at Best Western Plus Hotel in Lusaka, Engineer Kapala pointed out that the fragmented milk production data is the main bottleneck in the development of the dairy sector as Government figures and private sector reports tell different stories. Engineer Kapala emphasized that Government cannot manage what cannot be measured and therefore in the absence of integrated milk production data, Government is ill guided in its policy making decisions.
” We must address a critical bottleneck in the dairy sector of fragmented milk production data as Governemnt figures and reports from the private sector tell different stories. Iam therefore calling upon the Dairy Association of Zambia and all Industry players to partner with my Ministry in Synchronizing our milk production data,” Engineer Kapala said.
” The country cannot Manage what is not measured and therefore accurate real-time data is the north star that will guide the country’s investment in the dairy sector, disease control programmes and Governments policy decisions.’ Engineer Kapala said.
Dairy Association of Zambia Chairperson Mrs Doreen Kabunda said currently the records available shows that the country produces 290 million liters of milk with small-scale farmers contributing about 80%. Mrs Kabunda said DAZ appreciates Government’s Commitment to develop the Dairy Sector through favourable policies in place and therefore welcomes Government’s call to synchronize milk production data.
Varun Bevages Chief Executive Officer Mr Vibhay Chauhan said Varun Beverages is pleased with the upward production trend of milk in the country and that is why in the year 2026 his company has earmarked to invest 9million dollars to scale up its milk procurement from farmers.
” Iam proud to share that our chairman has decided to invest 9 million dollars in cream bell Zambia alone. The 9 million dollars will all be invested in the year 2026 in form of plant upgrades, upgrading our processing capacity and introducing more high value and high-quality products to the Zambia consumers and to scale up our milk procurement even further,” said Mr Chauhan.
‘Farmers Meet’ is an annual event held by Varun Beverages to recognize and award the best performing farmers in different categories. At this year’s 2026 event, Palabana Dairy Cooperative, Malama Dairy Cooperative, Moomba Commercial Farms and Chattenel farms are some of the farmers that were awarded.
