State urged to exploit livestock potential

should exploit the potentials in livestock agriculture to reposition Zambia’s economy and create employment, livestock expert John Muma has said.

Mr Muna noted that the sub-sector had the capacity to raise the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He urged Government to establish livestock skill acquisition centres to train youths in poultry, animal husbandry, fish farming, dairy and beef production.

“This will address the beef, dairy, poultry and fish needs of the country to guarantee food security, generate revenue and provide employment.

“To make this work, Government should partner with financial institutions for a credit scheme to beneficiaries, while technical experts are engaged to provide technical skills,” Mr Muma said.

He said the economic crunch suffered by the country should serve as a wakeup call towards diversifying the economy against over dependence on copper.

“Zambia should see economic challenges as an opportunity to open up other sources of revenue that will develop the economy and provide employment to the citizenry,” he said.

Mr Muma reiterated that there were rich unexploited potentials in livestock agriculture in every part of Zambia with the capacity to improve the economy of the citizenry and to boost revenue base of the nation.