small livestockGovernment, African Development Bank and Heifer International Zambia are undertaking a K11.5 million project aimed at improving small-holder livestock production and market linkages in Muchinga and Northern provinces.

The programme, dubbed ‘Small livestock pass-on scheme project (SLPSP)’, is part of Government’s livestock infrastructure support project which will benefit over 13,000 households in nine districts in the two provinces through interventions that improve food security, nutrition and human health.

Heifer International country director James Kasongo disclosed in an interview on Friday that the project, which was launched last month and will run for two years, will result in the provision of chickens and goats to the beneficiaries in Mpika, Chinsali, Nakonde and Isoka.
Other districts are Mbala, Kasama, Mporokoso, Mungwi and Mafunga.

“The goals are to increase ownership of small livestock to increase awareness for improved uptake of HIV/AIDS, malaria and nutrition services,” Mr Kasongo said.

Mr Kasongo said a total of 900 women and youths will be provided with chickens and trained in housing, health care and supplementary feeding for increased poultry productivity.

He explained that 500 households will receive five chickens while other families will benefit through the pass-on-the-gift process during the two-year period.

“The project will also train 2,250 farmers in sustainable agricultural technologies such as use of manure to improve farm productivity, while caring for the environment,” he said