US$22m Vet drug plant to be built in Lusaka

AFRICAN Agrovet Zambia Limited and Dumax Pharmavet have combined efforts to construct a veterinary drugs manufacturing plant in Lusaka’s Ngwerere area with a capital of US$ 22 million.

Speaking during the prelaunch of the factory, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Makozo Chikote said the construction of the new veterinary drugs manufacturing plant was a clear demonstration of Governments resolve to creating a conducive environment for the private sector participation.

Mr Chikote said the Livestock subsector has not been performing at full potential because of disease burden, high cost of vaccines and drugs, lack of access to finance and high lending rates by commercial banks.

He said the construction of the plant could not have come at a better time that now when Zambia was struggling with animal disease like Anthrax East coast fever, CBPP African Swine fever and rabies among others.

Mr Chikote said the construction of the veterinary plant was undoubtedly going to be a game changer as it would play a pivotal role in reducing and eradicating animal diseases in the country.

“Dumax Pharmavet and African Agrovet group of companies will assist government to reduce our country’s animal disease burden through the cionstruction of this state of the art veterinary drug manufacturing plant,” he said.

African Agrovet Zambia Limited Director, Ravi Verma said aside the vaccines and veterinary drugs that the plant will be providing it would also create over 500 direct and indirect jobs and the numbers may increase over time.

He said the company would addresses agricultural challenges, with the warehouse enhancing animal welfare and transforming the local agricultural scene.

Meanwhile Dumax Pharmavet, Mr. Rajan Vashista said they intend to become the leading manufacturing veterinary drugs and vaccines in Zambia which were going to be affordable for small holder farmers in the country

Mr Chikote