Soya bean shortage concerns Zambian poultry industry

The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has said lack of certified soya beans seed in the country is affecting the production of the crop, which is having a knock-on effect on the poultry industry.

ZNFU president Jervis Zimba said the country had witnessed an increase in the demand for poultry feed largely due to the increase in chicken and pig rearing but that demand had not matched the availability of certified soya beans seed. He said the increase in production levels of soya beans was also constrained and it was important that a lasting solution was found quickly.

“Farmers have taken up the challenge of growing soya beans but have been constrained by limited availability of certified soya beans seed. This has led to farmers having to resort to planting uncertified seed,” Zimba said.

While highlighting the constraints of the poultry industry, Zimba said it was the best performing in the livestock sub-sector. He hinted that demand for stock feed would increase. Meanwhile, the ZNFU says there was need for the Government to look at ways of reducing costs in the agricultural sector so that locally grown goods could be competitively priced.

Source: All Africa