by Rabecca Mwila

The Zambian dairy industry, like those of other African countries, is fraught with system inefficiencies which are aggravated by the lack of digitisation.

The lack of improved technology in the industry has stunted the sector as farmers shun dairy farming due to the eroded confidence in the systems available. Small-scale dairy farming is the most affected despite its potential to be a cash generator. Milk production contributes to household food security and can generate an extra income for small-scale farmers.

With the demand for milk in developing countries expected to increase by 25% by the year 2025 due to population growth, the call for digitalisation of the dairy industry cannot be over emphasised.

The Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ), with support from the Swedish Embassy, has embarked on an ambitious project to digitalise farmers’ operations. This will cover milk recording, input and payments transactions systems, enhancement of financial literacy and credit systems to address the concerns in the dairy industry. The project, which will run from June 2018 to May 2020, is called Digital Information Management System (DIMS). This exciting new system has 30 dairy cooperatives and milk collection centres on board, stretching from Mutenda Cooperative in Chingola to Zimba Cooperative in Zimba District, covering four provinces.

Project Manager Victor Ng’andu said digitalisation of the dairy industry through the DIMS project will culminate in increased efficiencies in the collection of milk, which means that precise, real-time, smart data will be generated. Farmers will earn higher profits as elements such as malpractices at milk collection centres concerning weights and measures will be eliminated. He added that the DIMS project will also offer financial literacy, skills development and capacity building in dairy production and productivity. He appealed to the dairy farmers in the project areas to support the project by ensuring that it is implemented as planned.

Every dairy farmer should dream of the day when his or her administration system is fully digitalised. Photo: Youtube.com

In return, dairy farmers have welcomed the initiative by DAZ through the DIMS project to digitalise the industry.

Martha Sambaka, a female dairy farmer from Kanakantapa Cooperative in Lusaka, said digitalising the transactions will improve the standard of living of dairy farmers as they will get precise income from their produce.

She thanked DAZ and the Swedish Embassy for the project and appealed to other prospective dairy farmers to explore the sector and contribute to household food security and the country’s economic growth.

Contact Miriam Mbazima the Dairy Association of Zambia at 097-760-0458 or miriambazima@airtelzm.blackberry.com for more information on the DIMS project.

The final measurement of milk before selling is a risky business. It can be easily jeopardised by corrupt elements. This can make or break a farmer. Photo: Youtube.com.