The production of chicken, sheep, pork and beef meats recorded a significant growth last year as a result of the efforts of the livestock sector and implementation of animal movement control measures.
Data from the National Directorate of Livestock Development (DNDP) cited by “Notícias”, indicate that the country produced more than 141 thousand tons of meat, an increase in 9.7% compared to 2019, in which 128 thousand tons were achieved.
The information is contained in the balance of activities presented at the sector technical meeting, held last week in the district of Namaacha, Maputo province.
According to the report, poultry farming has been contributing with the largest volume of meat production, with more than 120 thousand tons of chicken marketed in the national market.
“The production of chicken meat has grown by 11 percent as a result of the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Customs and the National Inspection of Economic Activities to control smuggling,” it said.
The document further states that the results of these efforts stimulate private sector investments in the poultry chain.
In 2020, 2 183 857 heads of cattle were registered, against 2 110 191 the previous year, with the provinces of Gaza, Maputo and Tete having the largest number of herds, with 1.2 million animals
The reinforcement of measures to control the movement of animals for slaughter as part of the epidemiological surveillance to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease contributed to the increase in beef production.
“Cattle theft has been compromising the performance of the subsector because, in addition to discouraging farmers, many animals are slaughtered clandestinely and therefore the meat not accounted for in national statistics,” he adds.
In 2020, 2 183 857 heads of cattle were enrolled, against 2 110 191 the previous year, with the provinces of Gaza, Maputo and Tete holding the largest number of herds, with 1.2 million animals.
With regard to prevention, disease control and epidemiological surveillance, the sector carried out mandatory vaccination campaigns for cattle, chickens and pets.
In parallel, the veterinary authorities invested in carracicidal baths, monitoring of the sanitary situation and reinforcement of hygiene and public health control in products of animal origin, as well as zoonoses such as rabies, tuberculosis and brucellosis.
