MINISTER of Livestock and Fisheries Nkandu Luo has encouraged women in North-Western Province to actively engage themselves in livestock farming and positively contribute to national economic growth. Professor Luo said livestock farming is a lucrative venture which women must take advantage of if they are to be economically self-reliant.
The minister was speaking in Solwezi yesterday when she empowered 19 women led
cooperatives and various churches with goats and improved village chicken breed. “We as a ministry we have said there is not going to a small scale farmer in livestock but emerging farmers because we know that one day you will be a commercial farmer,” Prof. Luo said.
She said in making a sustainable household food security in livestock, government wants to grow the sector through everyone’s participation women inclusive. Prof. Luo advised the beneficiaries to ensure that they care for the domestic animals and consequently multiply to benefit others. “Livestock has so many areas in which you can make money so make use of the sector to better your lives,” she said. Meanwhile, Solwezi District Commissioner, Rosemary Kamalonga said the empowering of women in the district is a clear demonstration of President Edgar Lungu’s commitment of not leaving anyone behind in matters of national development.
Ms Kamalonga said the empowerment will go a long way in uplifting the living standards of women and the future generations. And United Church of Zambia Trinity congregation’s representative Joyce Mwambazhi, thanked Government for the empowerment. Ms Mwambazhi assured that they will make sure the goats multiply and benefit all members in the cooperative. “We are so grateful to government, these goats are not meant for the pots but to uplift our living standards.
We will look after them very well so that they multiply to benefit others,” she said. And Solwezi civic centre women cooperative chairperson, Susan Malipilo said they will use the empowerment to sustain their families and thanked government for empowering everyone regardless of who they are. – ZANIS
