BDC’s Milk Valley to scale up production
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday February 16, 2026 09:14
Milk Valley Farm, located near Lobatse, carries the country’s hopes for higher self-sufficiency in dairy, an achievement which would also boost value-added activities in the local economy.
The farm’s current herd comprises both milking cows and replacement stock to support future herd expansion.
BDC Head Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, Boitshwarelo Lebang-Kgetse, told BusinessWeek that the Girolando dairy breed is widely recognised for its resilience in warmer climates and strong milk production performance.
The introduction of this breed is expected to materially enhance both herd size and overall productivity.
'Upon completion of the various expansion phases and once herd productivity has stabilised, Milk Valley Farm is projected to supply significantly higher milk volumes to the local market, strengthening domestic dairy supply,' she said in response to emailed enquiries.
Lebang-Kgetse said the farm is presently in a herd transition phase, explaining that a substantial portion of the existing herd was recently dried off as part of a herd optimisation and expansion programme designed to improve long-term productivity and prepare for the integration of higher-yield dairy breeds.
Drying off means that milking is stopped for six to 12 weeks before the next calving in order to allow udder tissue to repair and rejuvenate. The break boosts immune functions, replenishes body condition and is essential for optimal milk production in the next lactation.
“Consequently, current daily milk output is temporarily below normal operational levels,” Lebang-Kgetse said. “This reduction is deliberate and forms part of a carefully planned scale-up process aimed at achieving materially higher production volumes once the new herd is fully established.”
Currently, Milk Valley Farm supplies raw milk primarily to local milk processors and distributors, who process and distribute dairy products within Botswana.
The farm currently employs 18 full-time staff across dairy operations, herd management, farm maintenance and administrative functions. Employment levels are expected to increase progressively as production expands and related value-chain activities grow.
During the rebrand of Milk Valley, it was announced that the farm aims to increase its herd to produce an estimated 18 million litres of milk annually. This would satisfy around 29% of Botswana's annual milk demand, an improvement from the current 12%.
The P70 million dairy project by the BDC aims to transform Botswana’s reliance on imported milk into a thing of the past.