Quantification of economic effect of seasonal fluctuations in milk yield among smallholder dairy farmers in seven (7) major milk bulking centers of southern Zambia

Abstract

A survey study was carried out with the specific objective of comparing the seasonal milk yield fluctuations and its economic effect among small holder dairy farmers in the Southern Province of Zambia. Secondary data were obtained from seven (7) small holder dairy bulking centers (Monze, Magoye, Silwiili, Batoka, Kalomo, Zimba and Kanchomba) which were purposively selected. The results of the study indicated that small holder dairy farmers produce a total of 228,077.23litres of milk during the rainy season and 149,497.96 litres of milk during the dry season giving average monthly milk yields of 38,012.87litres and 24,916.33litres respectively. Results of the study indicated that the average monthly milk yields (121 ltrs ±25.2 and 244 ltrs ± 25.2 for dry and wet seasons respectively) differed significantly (p<0.05) among the seven (7) milk bulking centers in Southern Zambia.