President Hichilema calls for establishment of Livestock Economic Zones

President Hakainde Hichilema has called for the establishment of Livestock Economic Zones to help deal with diseases in the sector.

Hichilema also noted the need to put together regulations that would guide the livestock sector in the country apart from the economic zone.

The Head of State said this during the official opening of the 2024 Zambia Veterinary Scientific Conference in Livingstone, Southern Province, on Wednesday.

He tasked livestock professionals to start comparing what other countries in the region, such as Botswana were doing, to perfect their sectors.

“The government is integrating neighbouring countries to bring back all the cordons,” Hichilema said.

The Head of State noted the need for a small team to be created from different groups that would steer and improve the livestock sector.

Hichilema pledged that government would equip the sector with modern drugs and research so as to improve it.

Read More: Minister Chikote identifies lack of effective disease management as inhibiting export of livestock products

“Government considers veterinarians as essential workers and partners in national development and they should be treated like any other profession,” Hichilema said.

The Head of State assured the veterinarian and the nation that testing, vaccination, feed and water shortages would soon be addressed in the livestock sector.

“Government will support the private sector to ensure they operate in a conducive environment, and the veterinary profession is no exception,” he said.

Hichilema indicated that the majority of food production efforts in the country were driven by the livestock sector.

Hichilema called on other sectors to enhance closer working relationship with the livestock sector as they were all interdependent.

“Government will invest in the recruitment of more veterinary doctors and other staff in the sector like it has done with other health personnel,” he said.

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