Policy research on “The Role of Extension in Dairy Production and Marketing”: Transforming Zimbabwe’s Dairy Value Chain (TranZDVC) project (2019-2022)

Deadline: 24 May 2021

Location: Zimbabwe

Type of Contract: Individual and firms

Languages required: English + local languages basic proficiency

Duration of Assignment: 30 days

Introductions and background

A consortium consisting of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU), We Effect, Zimbabwe Dairy Industry Trust (ZIDIT) and Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) is implementing a project titled Transforming Zimbabwe’s Dairy Value Chain (TranZ DVC). The project aims to transform the dairy sector by addressing the Dairy Value Chain challenges. The project implementation commenced in 2019 and will end in June 2022.

The purpose of the TranZDVC project is to address the root causes of underperformance in the Dairy Value Chain (DVC) in Zimbabwe by strengthening the linkages between production, processing and financing. This will contribute to the realisation of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP) expected outcomes, especially increased production and productivity of the livestock sector and increased public and private investment in targeted livestock value chains.

The project seeks to improve DVC economic performance through inclusive business models, DVC social performance through inclusive targeting and DVC environmental performance through the use of climate smart dairy farming and use of renewable energy. It also seeks to influence policies in the DVC, engage stakeholders and lobby for an enabling policy environment. The overall objective of this project is to contribute to the development of a diversified and efficient agriculture sector that promotes inclusive green economic growth which will strengthen understanding and regular measurement of Dairy Value Chain (DVC) performance and enable core2 DVC actors, improve their performance through upgrading and/or scaling up activities.

This will result in increased domestic milk production and reduced importation of milk, as 50 per cent of milk currently sold in Zimbabwe is imported. Overall, the project will promote improved value chain governance, vertical and horizontal coordination among DVC actors in order to support green economic growth, social and environmental sustainability. The project is being implemented in 31 districts in Zimbabwe.

Specific Objectives of the Project

To improve economic, social and environmental performance of the DVC; To improve enabling environment for sustainable and inclusive DVC.

Expected Results of the Project

Establish performance monitoring and evaluation framework for the dairy value chain; Root causes of DVC underperformance analysed and understood; DVC performance improved, and strategic multilateral partnerships enhanced; Reduced cost of compliance with regulators; Improved business and financial services to core value chain actors and enabling dairy operating environment; Reduced cost of feed.