BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
@SunZambia
A BRAZILIAN livestock company is exploring possibilities of exporting Bovan cattle, semen and embryos to Zambia to heighten cattle breeding.
When successful, the project could help increase livestock population in Zambia as the country aspired to diversify the agriculture sector.
Zambia’s ambassador to Brazil Alfreda Mwamba said the Franco Institute, in conjunction with the Brazilian government had already prepared a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
“Once the MoU takes effect, even the foot and mouth disease will be eradicated from Zambia’s cattle industry,” Dr Mwamba said in a press statement issued by first secretary for press and public relations at the mission in Brazil Grace Makowane.
Dr Mwamba said Zambia could become one of Africa’s largest producers and exporter of beef.
Currently Zambia has over three million herds of cattle.
She said the mission will work closely with the relevant ministries in Zambia to ensure the effective implementation of the MoU.
“Brazil is eager to implement the MoU. We will also do our part to ensure that it works,” she said.
Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef and has a population of 232 million herd of cattle, exporting 1.3 million tonnes of meat in 2018 and earning revenue of US$6.2 billion.
And Franco Institute president Daniel Franco appealed to the Zambian government, through Livestock and Fisheries Minister Professor Nkandu Luo, to expedite the process.
Mr Franco commended Dr Mwamba for her commitment in making the project to become a reality.
“Her commitment has now culminated in the first-ever MoU between Zambia and Brazil for cattle to be exported to Lusaka,” he said.
