The newly opened Mbingwa Livestock Market in Mchinji district is providing much-needed hope to local farmers who have struggled for a long time with lack of proper market for their livestock.
Constructed under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) programme, the Mchinji District Council developed the market to offer farmers easier access to buyers and fair trading opportunities.
Fulavusi Kamkuzi, a livestock farmer from Mkunda Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Nyoka, expressed optimism about the market’s impact.
“The market will promote fair trading of livestock and reduce theft since no one can sell livestock without valid documents,” Kamkuzi said accompanied by his wife to the market.
Benjamin Zakalia, Director of Kapiri Micro-Investment Livestock Cooperative, who came to look for a market for 430 goats, praised the livestock market initiative for its timing.
“This market will help us make more profits by allowing livestock to be sold by auction,” Zakalia said.
Mwiza Msiska, Mchinji District Animal Health and Livestock Officer, highlighted the market’s economic benefits saying the livestock market boosts the economy through livestock farming in the district.
“Our main objective is to ease livestock trade so that farmers benefit from farming. The market will attract buyers from across the country who can purchase livestock at recommended prices,” Msiska said.
He also urged farmers to take livestock farming seriously to maximize their benefits from the market.
Additionally, the market is expected to enhance indirect extension services by providing farmers with advice on raising their livestock more effectively.
Mchinji Council plans to sustain the market through fees collected on marketing days.
GESD, a World Bank-supported program, funded the construction of the market at a cost of K10 million and will serve as a central hub for all livestock sales except pigs.