Chibia:The Chibia administration has initiated a program aimed at improving the genetic quality of livestock by incorporating new breeds into the herds of pigs, cattle, and goats. Adelaide Armando, the municipal director of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, detailed this development, which has been ongoing since 2022, during the recent Expo-Chibia event.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the objective of this initiative is to enhance meat quality, increase muscle mass, and boost the production capacity within the municipality. The region currently boasts more than 160,000 cattle, 140,000 goats, 222,000 pigs, and 500,000 poultry. Pig farming, in particular, is at the forefront of this genetic transformation, with significant participation from local producers.
The municipal administration is facilitating this transformation by providing improved pig breeding stock at no cost to local families, aiming to replace rustic breeds with those offering higher carcass yield, such as more tender meat with lower fat content. In the cattle sector, a crossbreed with the Zebu breed is being adopted by 30 percent of the local cattle, enhancing both meat and milk production capabilities.
In terms of goat farming, the municipality is gradually introducing improved breeds, with plans for expansion in the coming years. Unlike the pig sector, the investment for genetic improvements in cattle and goats is being funded by the breeders themselves, though the administration continues to encourage their participation.
However, Adelaide Armando expressed concerns over the vulnerability of these improved species to local endemic diseases, particularly broiler chickens and purebred pigs, which have shown lower survival rates. The absence of vaccines for swine and avian fever has led to significant livestock losses, with 350 cattle lost since 2025 and entire poultry flocks being decimated.
To mitigate these challenges, local technicians are conducting awareness campaigns in communities, advocating for the construction of proper pigsties and chicken coops, daily sanitation practices, and improved animal feed. The Municipal Directorate of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries is currently overseeing 500 livestock farmers, primarily traditional ones, to ensure the success of this initiative.
Source Angola Press News Agency
