Newly opened Mbingwa Livestock Market in Mchinji District is providing much-needed hope to local farmers, who have long struggled with the lack of a 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.
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.
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.
Additionally, the market is expected to enhance indirect extension services by providing farmers with advice on raising their livestock more effectively.
Mchinji District Council plans to sustain the market through fees collected on marketing days.
GESD, a World Bank-supported programme, 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.
By Brighton Chimsinde and Vincent Khonje, MANA
