THE government’s proposed livestock policy seeks to increase the national calving rate to 80% from the current 45%, Agriculture deputy Responsible for Livestock Paddy Zhanda has said.
MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT
Zhanda told Southern Eye Business on Thursday that the national calving rate was very low and the government was aiming to increase it to 80% to boost a national cattle herd standing at 5,3 million.
“In an average, we are aiming to increase our calving rate to 80% because currently we are very inefficient,” he said.
Zhanda said his ministry was devising strategies to revive the Cold Storage Company (CSC) as a way of boosting the beef industry.
“We are working tirelessly to revive Cold Storage Company and plans are at an advanced stage to relieve it from its debts,” he said.
“We are currently holding discussion concerning those issues.”
State-owned meat processor CSC is saddled with a $22 million debt and owes workers $2, 1 million in outstanding salaries.
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The firm’s capacity utilisation has sunk to an all-time low of 7%.
CSC requires over $50 million to revive its operations and settle debts.
The company used to be the biggest beef processor in the country exporting beef to the European Union, but persistent outbreaks of the foot and mouth disease halted exports.
