Govt targets $1bn annual beef exports, 11 million cattle

President Hakainde Hichilema says the Government, in partnership with the private sector, will unlock the vast potential of the livestock subsector.

He said the target is to earn one billion U.S. dollars annually from beef exports and more than double the national cattle population to 11 million animals.

Speaking during the official opening of the First Session of the Fourteenth National Assembly, President Hichilema said the Government will develop beef marketing centres across the country and enhance extension services to improve animal husbandry practices and the quality of livestock.

“To achieve these targets, we will establish additional livestock disease-free compartments and strengthen quality assurance and traceability systems,” President Hichilema said.

“We will intensify disease control, including surveillance and vaccination programmes, as well as construct and rehabilitate regional veterinary laboratories across the country.”

He said the Government will promote the production of small livestock, poultry, and dairy cattle among small-scale farmers.

“These measures will strengthen the income security of small-scale farmers and enhance their resilience to seasonal and climate-related risks,” President Hichilema said.