Shortfall persists despite improved milk production

Dairy production locally continues to be at its infancy with the local production accounting for about 20% of the national demand, a slight improvement from the 15% that was recorded in 2019. National demand is currently at 60 million litres per annum and at least 50 million of that is supplied through imports, senior government officials revealed recently. Local milk production has been improving over the years as in 2017 the country produced 6.2 million litres of milk, which was a significant 55% increase from the four million litres produced in 2016.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee recently, the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security acting permanent secretary (PS), Letlhogile Madisa said the government has faced several challenges in its efforts to raise the production of milk locally.