CHOMA 20TH NOVEMBER 2023 NAIS
- By LAWRENCE KABUTU
- Tags Stories Livestock
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock through the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust {GART) has accelerated use of agricultural smart technologies in production of pastures for livestock.
Monze fisheries and Livestock Technician Jimmy MUSUKWA says production of pastures from various legumes such as cowpeas, sorghum, Maize, and other grasses has been intensified.
Mr. MUSUKWA explained that irrigated pasture production has been promoted following a growing threat of climate change characterized by prolonged dry spells on natural pastures.
He was speaking during the just ended 2023 GART national Pasture and Smallholder Livestock fair held at Batoka Livestock Development Centre in Choma.
And Mayfair Assistant Agricultural Specialist Patricia KABILI says 10,000 farmers will be covered with an Assert Protection Policy to protect them in a situation where pastures are not enough in a specific season.
Ms. KABILI clarified that Mayfair Insurance is working with the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme were farmers are able to insure the animals to trigger a claim to protect livestock with more pastures for feed.
She said the Assert Protection Policy that was covering 5,000 farmers during the pilot phase has been up scaled to 10,000 were Assert Protection and Assert Replacement for livestock will be combined.
The two day fair held under the theme ‘’Innovative Pasture Technologies for Livestock Productivity and Climate Change Resilience’’ has attracted farmers from various districts of Southern Province and exhibitors at the Livestock Development Centre in Batoka, Choma.
ENDS/LK/NAIS..