By: Jeff Kapembwa
A Four-year comprehensive insurance cover has been launched in Zambia to protect initial 30,000 smallholder livestock farmers from the impact of drought, diseases and other climatic change effects that have dwarfed growth of the sector in Zambia.
The-Inclusive Livestock Insurance project, piloted in Choma, Mazabuka and Kalomo-and has been under feasibility study since 2015 is an initiative of the Zambian Financial Sector Deepening Limited (FSD Zambia), Mayfair Insurance and being done in collaboration with the Government.
It will endeavor to plug various challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the country, women included-all that incur financial losses through stock theft, diseases and adverse climatic conditions. After being extended to all parts of the country this will ultimately unlock the country’s potential and make it competitive locally and beyond the borders.
The project is further expected to enhance and increase access to high value and comprehensive agricultural insurance products for smallholder farmers by strengthening climate resilience and expanding their production, particularly for those growing crops and keeping livestock.
Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Makozo Chikote in a speech read for him by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Director, Mwambilwa Kabemba during the launch in Magoye-in Southern Zambia is happy with the collaboration to moot an insurance cover with the private sector.
The initiative would allow farmers of crops and livestock in the country to retain their wealth while being protected from adverse risks that threaten their livelihood, noting that Zambia has been victim to various animal and crop failures because of various factors.
FSD Zambia Chief Executive Officer Engwase Mwale said the project is envisaged to improve and increase access to high value and comprehensive agriculture insurance products for an initial 30,000 small holder farmers, Those growing crops and rear cattle countrywide would be covered in due course to assist alleviate challenges faced by smallholder farmers.
Traditional leader, Chief Hanjalika regretted the increased animal thefts and losses incurred in his chiefdom, spurred by rustlers and drought that has affected the region in the last four years.
Chief Hanjalika however, noted the lack of veterinary and other agriculture extension officers in the area which has heightened the plight of the farming community.
He appealed to the Government to redress the shortage of veterinary and extension officers to help mitigate the matter.
The Government, he further appealed, should sink more dip tanks to help reduce foot and mouth diseases in the area while redressing crop losses following a drought that decimated yields in the just ended season.
But Mazabuka District Commissioner Oliver Mulomba directed all extension and veterinary officers in the area to return to their respective stations and join the farmers in fighting the diseases and other challenges as the country aspires to remain a regional food basket.
Recently, the Government carried out a 100 per cent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination in Mazabuka Town , Southern Zambia in collaboration with Solidaridad Southern Africa.
Mazabuka District Commissioner Oliver Mulomba confirms that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Staff in the area successfully carried out the FMD vaccination programme in the area including East Coast Fever vaccines against the corridor disease.
Minister Chikote notes that cattle production remains Zambia’ lifeline especially among rural farmers. Of the 3.5 million herds of cattle in Zambia, 1.2 million are in Southern Province. Solidaridad Southern Africa further assisted in constructing a spray race to fight the disease.
