By JOHN SAKALA
India’s Gujarat State Government has announced plans to build a livestock university in Zambia.
Gujarat State Water Supply, Animal Husbandry and Rural Housing Minister, Shri Kunvarjibhai Mohanbhai Bavaliya, announced this during a meeting at Zambia High Commission in New Delhi, India.
“The university in Zambia would be a replica of Government run Kamdhenu University in Gujarat State to produce livestock research and disease control experts especially in animal husbandry,” Shri Bavaliya said.
He said Gujarat Government also wanted to build a cattle breeding centre in Zambia and a dairy value addition firm.
“Gujarat is one of India’s largest producer of milk, cheese and cattle in general,” Shri Bavaliya said.
He revealed that he would travel to Zambia in January next year to concretise efforts in establishing a university and Intensive Cattle Development Projects.
The Minister said this through a translation by Shri Manish Bharadwaj, IAS Secretary for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Cooperation Department (Animal Husbandry, Cow breeding, Fisheries and Cooperation), Government of Gujarat State in India.
And Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga said Zambia welcomed efforts aimed at knowledge and technology transfer.
“President Edgar Lungu wants to diversify the economy by strengthening agriculture and livestock,” she said.
She praised the Gujarat State Government for choosing Zambia which was the best destination for investment with already designed farm blocks per province.
This was contained in a statement released by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in India Bangwe Naviley.
