The veterinary Association of Zambia (VAZ) has revealed the Country is targeting to increase cattle production by about 2.7 million by 2026.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times -ZBT, VAZ president Dr Malcolm Chiyoba said that from the last census that was carried out, the Country’s cattle population is currently sitting at around 4.8 about 5 million herds of cattle.
Chiyoba also revealed that of the current 4.8 million herds of cattle, The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock working together with the Veterinary Association of Zambia intends to increase the cattle population to about 6.5 million by 2026.
Chiyoba affirmed that “by 2026 we should get to that figure,”
Asked whether the Association has also set targets for other livestock Chiyoba like Goats, Sheep and Pigs, Chiyoba confirmed that no targets have been set so far for the aforementioned livestock.
“From the last census that was done, we are sitting around 4.8 million herds of cattle and the target of the 6.5 million is in the next two years (2026). By 2026 we should get to that figure.For sheep, goat targets, those targets have not been set and I should also clarify that the target was announced by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and as you know we work closely with that Ministry to help them deliver their functions and us also working closely with the Ministry, we are running with the same. So for sheep, goats , we haven’t set a target,” he said.
“You know when you do these things you focus on one and then you go and look at other aspects of livestock. So that definitely also should be in the loop, so when you have a moment you could and call the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock for clarification on that,” said Chiyoba.
