Government has disclosed that the Fisheries and livestock sectors have the potential to contribute to food and nutrition security, job creation and poverty reduction.

Fisheries and livestock Minister Kampamba Mulenga has disclosed that the sectors have recorded growth for the period 2016 to 2017 driven by broilers and layers Sub-sectors.

Ms. Mulenga has further disclosed that the sector contributes between 20 and 23 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product GDP.

She was speaking when she officially opened the National Symposium on Fisheries and Livestock in Zambia organized by the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Lusaka Today.

“The Sector also provides employment and means of livelihood to more than 60 percent of the rural population,” says Ms. Mulenga.

She adds that a growth rate of 8 percent was recorded for broiler production from 77.3 million to 83.4 million day old chicks.

Ms Mulenga however states that egg production recorded a 3 percent reduction from 38.2 million trays in 2016 to 37.6 Million trays attributing it to a reduction in pullet production experienced in 2016.

And IAPRI Executive Director Chance Kabaghe has disclosed that the purpose for the symposium is to heighten the importance of fish and Livestock in the country.

Mr. Kabaghe has noted that there has been little attention given to the sector adding that little funds have been going to Fisheries and Livestock.

“IAPRI’s research work shows that over-emphasis on maize has been to the detrimental of other sectors, in particular, fish and livestock,“ says Mr. Kabaghe.