ZAMBIAN FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK TEAM DATES BOTSWANA

FOLLOWING a work visit by President Hakainde Hichilema to Bostwana last month, a team from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock is in that country to explore opportunities for cooperation in the livestock sector between Zambia and Botswana.

Leading the team, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary, HimbaCheelo said the visit was aimed at appreciating Botswana’s strengths in the beef production sub sector.

Ms Cheelo noted that the livestock industry plays an important role in the economic trajectory, describing it as a vehicle for income generation, poverty reduction and employment creation.

She added the importance of the sector as a good source of nutritional values contributing to the well-being of any country.

The Permanent Secretary therefore stated that the benchmarking visit aligns with the aspirations of President Hichilema and his Botswana counterpart, MokgweetsiMasisi in their quest to move the two countries forward.

“We are coming here to learn and leverage on some of these strengths, recognizing that the Livestock industry plays an important role in the trajectory of any economies’ development,” Ms Cheelo said.

And Botswana’s Ministry of Agriculture Director for Research, Statistics and Policy Development, MmadimaNyathi highlighted the progress that Botswana has made in increasing animal production, including intensifying efforts in artificial insemination.

Ms Nyathi pointed out that even though her country has had a few challenges in its livestock sector, the country has still been able to access lucrative markets because of the country’s strategic location.

She further indicated that Botswana is also actively pursuing the acquisition of superior breeds to further enhance its livestock herd, as evidenced by a recent procurement of cattle from the United States of America.

She noted that this has contributed to a notable enhancement in the quality of cattle.

The Director also expressed Botswana’s readiness to learn from Zambia’s advancements in aquaculture, noting the significant strides that Zambia has made in this area.

The delegation is set to tour various facilities in the country, including the Botswana Meat Commission, the Artificial Insemination Centre in Ramatlabama, and the Botswana Vaccine Institute. The Team will also engage with the Botswana National Beef Production Unit.

A key outcome of the visit is articulation of an actionable programme to be incorporated into the Enhanced Program of Cooperation between Botswana and Zambia, scheduled to be signed in March.

This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS by Zambia’s First Secretary for Press in Bostwana, Julia Malunga.