•KASOLO

By JUDITH NAMUTOWE? –

SAUDI Arabian investors have shown interest in investing in Chishinga Ranch which is being developed by the Government in Kawambwa District in Luapula Province.
The investors are interested in investing in goat-rearing ventures for exports to their home country from the 44,000-hectare ranch which is being developed as a cattle breeding centre.
Luapula Province chief planner Derrick Saboi said in an interview in Mansa that Saudi Arabian based investors expressed interest to rear the goats for exports.
The province has great potential for beef and dairy cattle ranching, as it has never experienced any animal disease outbreaks.
Mr Saboi said the Government had been marketing Chishinga Ranch to allow investors to come and rear animals of their own choice for exports.
He said in selling the initiative, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo undertook a trip to Saudi Arabia where he engaged with a team of investors, thereby expressing interest to come to Zambia.
Currently, Saudi Arabia is importing goats from South Sudan, but because the market does not seem to be stable, the investors from that country want to come and rear goats in Zambia.
Mr Saboi said the Government intended to give the investors about 20,000 hectares of land, as they would not be restricted to rearing goats alone, but any other animals of their choice for exports.
He noted that so far, the only major development at the farm was two houses which were still under construction.