Maravi

PS urges protection of poultry industry

PS urges protection of poultry industry
By Justin Katilungu in Kabwe
Wed 04 Nov. 2009, 04:00 CAT

ZAMBIA'S poultry industry should be protected and nurtured as it has the great potential of uplifting the living standards of the people especially those in rural areas, Central Province permanent secretary Denny Lumbama has said.

Lumbama said that the poultry industry in Zambia had in the recent years seen a tremendous growth, which was now under threat from among others the deadly Avian Influenza (AI).

He said this when he officially opened a workshop to train AI rapid response teams from Northern and Luapula provinces.

The government and the United States Aid for International Development (USAID) are funding the workshop, and other provinces covered under the programme are Central, Copperbelt, Lusaka and Southern.

"It is estimated that the poultry industry alone accounts for 1.54 to 2.24 per cent of Zambia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which translates to 40 per cent of the livestock sectors' contribution to the GDP," said Lumbama.

Poultry production in Zambia is estimated at around 30 million broilers per year; four million commercial layers for eggs and 14 million birds in the traditional sector.
"You can see the potential this industry has in terms of contributing to the national economy and as such we therefore need to protect and nurture it as it is under threat from AI," he said.

Lumbama said that the economic impact of AI was devastating as affected local, international trade, allied industries such as the animal feed industry, employment, food security, tourism and above all human life.

On behalf of the USAID, regional office pandemic influenza advisor Crunckleton Kimberly based in South Africa hailed the will the Zambian government had shown towards preparing for the any possible outbreak of AI.

"Just two months ago we successfully held in Chisamba a simulation exercise on AI which was very impressive and Zambia was more than ready to be on display in the SADC region," said Kimberly.

She said that there was need for collaboration among all stakeholders in preparing for any possible outbreak of AI.

Labels: DENNY LUMBAMA, PERMANENT SECRETARIES, POULTRY

posted by MrK @ 5:08 AM