January 8, 2014

The continued ban on pig movement and processing of pig products will adversely affect the income of most farmers who depend on livestock business for their livelihood, the Small Livestock Association of Zambia (SLAZ) expresses.

SLAZ chairman Martin Mukuka said the ban has resulted in the increase in pigs in areas other than Lusaka and Southern Provinces, making it costly for both consumers and traders to buy.

Mukuka said the price of pigs has increased by an average of ZMW300 (US$54) following the ban on the movement of pigs and processing of pig products in Lusaka.

He said the price of pigs has increased to about ZMW1,000 (US$181) from ZMW750 (US$136) for larger pigs while medium pigs are now selling between ZMW400 and ZMW500 (US$72 and US$90) from ZMW280 and ZMW300 (US$51 and 54), respectively.

"As an association, we are appealing to the line ministry to speed up the process of controlling the spread of African swine fever to other parts of the country. If measures are not followed [this] will drastically affect school going children as most farmers and traders depend on the selling of pigs to raise funds for their [living]," he said in response to a press query in Lusaka recently.

Mukuka said the provinces where the ban has been effected are the major pig-rearing regions with Southern Province accounting for about 60% and Lusaka Province with 20%. Other pigs come from Western Province accounting for 20%, although the area has not been cordoned.

He said there is need for farmers in affected areas to work with Government in eradicating the disease. Farmers and traders are losing colossal sums of money due to the ban on the movement of pigs and pig processed products in Lusaka and Southern Provinces, he added.

Mukuka urged stakeholders to engage the ministry in sensitising the farmers and traders on the disease to avoid unnecessary outbreaks.