THE construction of the K3.3 million regional laboratory and office block in Choma District has taken shape, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Permanent Secretary David Shamulenge has said.
Dr Shamulenge said in the last 20 years, there had been low turnout in livestock but this he said would change.
It was a requirement that Government develops a livestock sector which was crucial to the economy of Zambia.
Dr Shamulenge expressed hope that the laboratory, which would be used for detecting diseases and specimen collection among other things, would be completed in the next few months.
Dr Shamulenge, who also toured the provincial veterinary clinic to monitor the operations, said there was need to put in place measures that would bring an increase in the populations of livestock.
Some regional laboratories were already operational in Mongu and Chipata while works for similar facilities in Solwezi, Kasama and Ndola were yet to be started.
Southern Province Livestock Officer Phare Sikaputa said the construction was at an advanced stage.
Mr Sikaputa said the incinerator had already been done while the cold-room was being installed.
More equipment would be brought once the regional laboratory construction was completed.
He commended Government for fully funding the project adding that Southern Province was grateful to have a laboratory especially that its cattle population was almost one million.
Mr Sikaputa thanked Government for building laboratories closer to the people.
He noted that for a long time, farmers depended on the central laboratory in Lusaka which is usually congested with too much work thereby causing delay in the results. — ZANIS