Manzini – The Eswatini Feedlot Indaba opened in Manzini, bringing together government officials, feedlot operators, livestock farmers, feed millers, processors, financial institutions, and industry experts. The event, themed “Building resilient and competitive MSMEs in the feedlot sector,” is designed to strengthen the beef industry through practical business models, best practices in feedlot management, and partnerships to tackle challenges such as high feed costs, limited feeder stock, disease threats like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and access to finance.
Honourable Minister for Agriculture Mduduzi Matsebula outlined key milestones from the Livestock Value Chain Development Project, including the rollout of artificial insemination services that have improved cattle genetics, with over 300 animals inseminated, vaccination of more than 4,000 cattle and 4,500 goats, training of over 500 farmers in feedlot production, development of an investment model for a leather tannery to boost value addition, and completion of a livestock diagnostic study to guide sector growth.
Jose Marta Becerra, Political Counsellor at the European Union Delegation in Eswatini, urged stronger public-private partnerships, innovative financing, improved biosecurity, and better coordination across the livestock value chain. He reaffirmed the EU’s support for building a resilient and competitive feedlot sector in the country.
Stakeholders are continuing discussions to develop practical solutions and actionable commitments to transform the sector. Day two of the Indaba continues with live proceedings. sector. Day two of the Indaba continues with live proceedings.
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