Former Veterinary Association of Zambia (VAZ) President […]

Former Veterinary Association of Zambia (VAZ) President who is also a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Malcolm Chiyoba has indicated that livestock drug sellers could benefit financially from the effects of El Niño as drought conditions increase the demand for animal medicines and supplements.

Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Dr Chiyoba said periods of drought and other disasters often create business opportunities for suppliers of livestock products because farmers are forced to spend more on keeping animals alive and healthy.

“In every time of disaster, someone also benefits, and people who are going to sell supplements when there is no food are going to benefit, while people who are selling medicines when there are outbreaks will also have more sales,” he said.

Dr Chiyoba explained that prolonged dry conditions could increase pressure on livestock, particularly where animals face inadequate feed and weakened health, creating greater demand for supplements and veterinary medicines.

 He said livestock drug sellers could therefore see increased business during El Niño as farmers look for products to protect their animals from the effects of poor feeding and disease outbreaks associated with difficult conditions.

“When there is no food, people will need supplements, and when there are outbreaks there will be more sales of medicines, so there is a way in which the livestock drug business benefits from these difficult conditions,” said Dr. Chiyoba.

 He told ZBT that the expected increase in demand should not be viewed in isolation because the effects of El Niño could also create opportunities across other livestock-related businesses supplying products needed by farmers.

Dr. Chiyoba said businesses supplying livestock feed, hay and other animal-support products could also benefit as farmers search for alternatives when natural grazing becomes inadequate during prolonged dry conditions.

“El Niño benefits in a way the business people who are going to sell animal products, including those supplying feed, seed and hay, because when there is not enough rainfall and food for animals, farmers will need these products,” he said.

Dr Chiyoba added that the situation could therefore create a wider market for livestock-related suppliers, with drug sellers positioned to benefit from increased demand for medicines and supplements as farmers try to protect their animals during the dry period.

Article by Philip Sinkala