The association’s regional officer, Kasirayi Gwezuva, said the slump was mainly as a result of drought and the high cost of stock feed and dosing drugs.
Dairy cows require an average of 140 litres of water daily. Last year Umzingwane Dairy Association Centre in Mawabeni was forced to close down due to viability challenges. The centre was formed by a group of communal farmers from Mawabeni, Esigodini, Nswazi and Mbalabala areas in 2001.