Kalomo Livestock Farmers Face Delays in Disease Testing

Makaya said the process of sending samples to Choma or Saka can take time, delaying interventions by veterinary officers.

“They will need to go to Lusaka, Choma, to go and do the testing. So you go through that process, so no officers and all that. It might take a bit of time. Until then, the animals start dying,” he said.

He said farmers could lose animals before authorities establish what disease they are dealing with.

“Before you know the cause of the problem, you might lose an animal or so,” Makaya said.

Makaya said Kalomo is a hub of both crop and livestock farming and is ranked second in Southern Province after Monze District in livestock production.

He said establishing a veterinary laboratory in the district would help authorities respond faster to disease outbreaks and support farmers.

Makaya said while the district had seen development in sectors such as health, education and agriculture, veterinary services remained an area requiring further attention.

He said improved veterinary infrastructure would also support the wider agricultural economy by helping protect livestock, which is an important source of income for farmers in the district.