In a quest to equip livestock farmers with the right knowledge and accelerate financial literacy and inclusion, Zanaco and ZAMBEEF Products PLC have partnered to deliver these shared values.
Under this partnership, Zanaco will provide financing soltions and financial literacy programmes to the livestock farmers while ZAMBEEF Products PLC will conduct training on how to improve livestock production methods, disease management and also provide ready market.
The partnership has since resulted in the training of selected Southern Province based livestock farmers. The trainings were held in Namwala and Choma Districts.
Commenting on the development, Zanaco Head Agriculture Banking Cheyo Mwenechanya, said the Bank strongly supports partnerships that aim at improving the welfare and income of farmers as it will enable the country achieve sustained economic growth.
Mr Mwenechanya said, “As Zanaco, we believe in partnerships that uplift communities and this partnership with ZAMBEEF will unlock the potential of livestock farmers as they will have knowledge on how to manage their financial resources better.
“We would like to encourage livestock farmers to approach the bank for their financing needs and learn more on some of the financial products we offer to farmers. Over the years, the Bank has supported Zambia’s key productive sectors including agriculture.”
He also noted that financial management is critical to the growth of the livestock farmers, as it helps farmers to make the best decision for their farm businesses and to expand their operations.
ZAMBEEF General Manager for Chisamba Huntley farm and Beef Procurement Division, Mr Francis Mondomona, said the agribusiness company is optimistic that the development will result in increased productivity, which is a catalyst for job and wealth creation.
“With farmers being financially literate and being able to manage their livestock better and having access to financing opportunities from Zanaco, we are assured of increased productivity.
“At the centre of this, Government will benefit through more jobs and generally improved livelihood of the communities. The coming together of ZAMBEEF, Zanaco, Livestock farmers and Government is therefore, a step in the right direction,” he said.
Meanwhile, Southern Province Minister, Hon Cornelius Mweetwa, in a speech read on his behalf by the Choma District Commissioner, Mr Sikaleya Gamela, said “As Government, we shall continue to support initiatives targeted at growing farmers’ income, creating jobs and reducing poverty. It is important to note that Government alone cannot employ all Zambians.”
Hon Mweetwa noted that the ZANACO-ZAMBEEF partnership will help in combating animal diseases as farmers will gain knowledge in disease management and also be able to access financing for livestock vaccines.
“As Government we remain concerned with disease outbreaks such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Swine Fever. I am happy with the partnership as it will help in combating livestock diseases”.
“The role of the private sector in supporting the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is commendable and I urge livestock farmers to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their production”, he said.
And Namwala District Commissioner, Mr. Shandavu, noted that animal diseases and the absence of rain harvesting infrastructure such as reservoir dams and inadequate dipping facilities are hampering livestock productivity.
The District Commissioner said once the challenges are resolved through financing from commercial banks such as Zanaco, the province could register livestock-supported growth.
Indeed, Zanaco is reliably and boldly supporting Zambeef to feed the nation.
