The World Bank has released US$30 million to support 253 000 small-scale farmers in the livestock sector. This will increase the number of beneficiaries to 390 000 by June 2018.

The money forms part of the banks’ US$64.74 million programme aimed at mitigating livestock diseases nationwide.

“The programme involves institutional capacity building of the ministry of livestock for improved food safety monitoring and strengthening of veterinary services, and addressing other constraints hindering investment in the sector,” the bank report states.

The funds also targeted improvement of production systems for selected livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and pigs. The report noted a remarkable decline in cattle mortality since the introduction of the programme in 2012. As a result, smallholder livestock farmers increased their cattle population to 2.89 million in 2015 from 2.16 million four year earlier.

The report noted a remarkable decline in cattle mortality since the introduction of the programme in 2012.

The programme has resulted in cattle mortality rates declining due to enhanced campaigns for foot-and-mouth disease, east coast fever and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia,” the report says.

Of the total amount the World Bank will provide US$50 million, government US$9.89 million while other donors will provide US$4.86 million.