No pasture, no 11 million cattle-LCU
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NewsLivingstone Cooperatives Union (LCU) has indicated that […]
Livingstone Cooperatives Union (LCU) has indicated that 11 million cattle target will see no light if pasture production is not prioritized to ensure animals have enough quality feed throughout the year.
In an interview with Zambian Business Times-ZBT, LCU Chairperson Rwinick Mapanza said pasture is a critical requirement for expanding the national cattle herd, warning that increasing animal numbers without sufficient feed can undermine the entire ambition.
Mapanza said farmers must pay greater attention to what they feed their cattle, as the availability and quality of pasture directly affect the animals’ growth, health, and productivity. “Pasture is very important because we need to improve what we give our animals and ensure that the feed they receive is good enough to support their growth and development,” he said.
Mapanza said pasture development must therefore become a central part of livestock production, rather than an issue farmer’s address only when animals begin experiencing feed shortages.
He warned that farmers cannot sustainably increase cattle numbers if pasture resources are inadequate to support the growing herd, particularly during periods when natural grazing becomes scarce.
“The farmers must understand that increasing the number of cattle also means improving the pasture and the food available to those animals, because without adequate feed, we cannot achieve the results we want,” said Mapanza.
He said achieving the 11 million cattle target requires farmers to take pasture management seriously and work with the Ministry of Livestock to ensure that appropriate guidance is followed.
Article by Philip Sinkala
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