Custom Feeding Program in Zambia Aims to Save Cattle
The National Agricultural Marketing Council has launched a program aimed at helping farmers whose cattle are dying due to severe drought. Called The Custom Feeding Program, the project will assist farmers who are unable to look after their animals. Frustrated cattle farmers have been losing their livelihood, due to severe drought. However, thanks to the Custom Feeding Program, R6 million has been invested to assist farmers in the North West. "With the help from government, recently, we saw a miracle; the cattle we expected they would be dead by now ... after three months they had gained weight and were ready to go to the abattoir, " says cattle farmer Essau Mafete. The aim of the program is to assist small scale farmers to gain some money, while also helping to provide quality meat, amid the drought.
Ollivier Girard/CIFOR