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The government has announced plans to increase the cattle population in Southern Province to enhance livelihoods and well-being of cattle farmers.
This initiative includes producing an off-take rate to attract agro-pharmaceutical industries and meat processors.
Southern Province Minister, Credo Nanjuwa, shared this during a visit to Botswana aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in livestock and production.
According to a statement issued in Lusaka by Julia Malunga, First Secretary for Press at the Zambian High Commission in Gaborone, Botswana, the minister said this would create employment opportunities and increase household incomes.
Nanjuwa stated that the visit’s goal was to understand Botswana’s value chain, from breeding to export and explore potential areas of collaboration, trade and investment.
The delegation aimed to learn about regulatory frameworks, disease control measures, traceability, and quality assurance systems.
“We hope to gain exposure on how to increase quality beef production for the export market, learn how disease control is managed to meet export standards, and strengthen livestock infrastructure and extension services,” Nanjuwa said.
Botswana Minister of Agriculture,Felix Molao, noted that collaboration between the two countries would leverage existing comparative advantages for a positive impact on agriculture and livestock.
Molao highlighted that Botswana’s agriculture sector was anchored on a mature beef industry, producing beef from commercial and communal production systems.
Read More: Cattle disease ravages beef farms in Southern province
“Botswana stands to benefit greatly from Zambia’s expertise in aquaculture and fisheries,” he said.
Molao also appreciated that Zambia continued to be Botswana’s major supplier of livestock feed, including maize stover, bran, and molasses.
During his visit, Nanjuwa toured the Botswana Animal Information and Traceability System (BAITS) and is scheduled to visit the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI).
He would also meet with the Botswana National Beef Producers Union (BNBPU) and the Botswana Agriculture Marketing Board, among others.
The minister was accompanied by Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Dr. Monze Namani and other government officials.
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