KALONDE NYATI, Lusaka
UNIVERSITY of Zambia (UNZA) has called on the school of agricultural sciences to consider venturing in beef ranching to actively contribute to the development of agriculture in the country.
UNZA acting vice chancellor Enala Mwase said the university has for a long time been an academic centre, and it is time the school served as a technology demonstration centre, which will enhance practical training of students and local entrepreneurs, hence the need for the school of agricultural sciences to venture in projects such as beef ranching.
“There is no justification for UNZA to be nowhere in the dairy industry sector when we are the leaders in technical-agro know-how and even have some dairy animals to kick start from; similarly, I see no reason why we cannot participate in feeding the nation by launching a  cattle ranch,” she said.
Prof Mwase said there is need for the school of agricultural sciences to put the programme into consideration in the 2015 business plan.
She said this last Friday during a ceremony to award outstanding students in the school of agricultural sciences.
Prof Mwase said the development will also bridge the funding gaps.
She said UNZA is undertaking various initiatives aimed at addressing financial gaps, citing the just commissioned East Park shopping mall as one of the projects.
“The shopping mall is set to improve UNZA’s cash-flow while creating opportunities for our students to work part time and gain practical experience,” she said.
Prof Mwase also said the university is also acquiring land for setting up satellite campuses across the country, and has since acquired 900 hectres in Ndola rural and 100 hectares each in Mwembeshi and Mbala.
Plans are under-way to acquire land by the Zambezi River in Chiawa.
She said the campuses will also serve as technology demonstration centres, which will enhance practical training.