Maravi

N/W Province is ideal for livestock - PS

N/W Province is ideal for livestock - PS
By Correspondent
Wed 14 Mar. 2012, 11:57 CAT

NORTH Western Province has attractive and ideal conditions for livestock development, says agriculture and livestock permanent secretary Dr David Shamulenge.

During a tour of Kanongesha and Kanyama cattle breeding centres in Ikelenge and Mwinilunga on Friday, Dr Shamulenge said livestock development would encourage meat processing in the region.

He said developing livestock farming in North Western Province would increase the region's market share for meat and dairy product exports to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.

He said to support the venture, the government had procured 95 head of cattle for Kanyama Cattle Breeding Centre which is under construction where chief Kanyama has given out 4, 000 hectares of land for the scheme.

Dr Shamulenge, however, expressed disappointment with the state of Kanongesha centre, where an initial cattle head count of 198 exotic Brahman breed supplied in 2005 has drastically dwindled to 39 due to thefts and mismanagement.

Senior Chief Kanongesha told Dr Shamulenge when he paid a courtesy call at his palace that he was disappointed that a scheme he spearheaded in his area to reduce poverty and create jobs for youths had been mismanaged.

Senior Chief Kanongesha, however, said he was hopeful that the PF government would provide new direction in helping North Western Province develop its livestock sector.

Dr Shamulenge assured chiefs Kanongesha and Kanyama that President Michael Sata's vision for North Western Province was to revive the region's potential for livestock development and strengthen agriculture so that the region could be a bread basket for the country.

Dr Shamulenge also said the essence of the breeding centers was to empower local communities with tools to maximise sources of income and reduce rural poverty.

Labels: CATTLE, CHIEF KANONGESHA, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 6:53 PM