El Niño will enrich livestock drug sellers – Veterinarian

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.