A STUDY OF TRENDS IN LIVESTOCK POPULATIONS AND CAUSAL FACTORS IN ZAMBIA
KAOMA, C., HAAZELE, R., KAWIMBE, C.
Abstract
A study was conducted to analyse the factors that
have influenced trends of livestock population in Zambia. Recently released
data (1997) on livestock statistics (1982 to 1993) by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Fisheries (MAFF) was used to prepare this paper. This data is appropriate
because it has revealed significant changes in live stock populations. There
was an increase in cattle population in Zambia from 1,951 963 in 1982 to 2,707
097 in 1990 but thereafter, a decline to 2,267 097 in 1993. A similar trend
was observed with pigs, 147 563 to 303 152 and 286 108. However, the population
of sheep and goats continued to increase steadily with no sign of decreasing
over the same period. Identified factors that influenced trends are: frequent
ocurrence of diseases, drought related problems for cattle, high cost of feed
resources for pigs, biological and social economic, less outbreaks of goat diseases
and stable market for sheep and goats.
Key words:
Trends, livestock population, causal factors, Zambia