By MELBOURNE MUSHITU –
A  EUROPEAN agribusiness and farming company has established a livestock centre in Mumbwa, Central Province with the aim of enhancing livestock farming and increase chances of beef exports.
Amatheon Agri Zambia unveiled the centre in Mumbwa District on Tuesday which would provide livestock disease control services with the capacity of supporting more than 8,000 cattle.

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Speaking when he inaugurated the livestock centre, Fisheries and Livestock Deputy Minister, Lawrence Evans said the Government intended to enhance beef exports.
Mr Evans noted that managing to export beef would promote and motivate small-scale livestock farmers and contribute to national development.
“Government aims at providing an enabling environment to increase in the production and productivity of high quality marketable fisheries and livestock,” he said.
“This is why President Edgar Lungu established the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.”
Mr Evans said cattle disease was one of the biggest challenges in the livestock sector and farmers had no opportunity to export their animals for a long time.
He said the facility would contribute significantly to domestic production and foster sustainable rural development.
The Government was constructing livestock service centres throughout the country which would provide extension services such as dipping, spraying, vaccinations, artificial insemination, de-worming, branding and castration.
The Government has also embarked on the establishment of livestock breeding centres that would assist small-scale farmers to access quality and improved species of all livestock to increase livestock production in Zambia.
Mr Evans commended Amatheon Agri Zambia for contributing to the national development and empowering livestock farmers in the country.
Amatheon Agri director Troy Minneh said the company’s contribution to the community stemmed from the intense participation of the hardworking farmers in Mumbwa District.
“We are trying to support farmers to be entrepreneurial and be partners with government when it comes to fostering national development,” he said.
He commended the community for working together with the organisation to ensure that a livestock centre in the community was established.