President Hichilema’s Upcoming Bull Auction: A Bold Leap for Zambia’s Livestock Future
On Sunday, 1 June 2025, President Hakainde Hichilema will hold a landmark bull auction at his Choma farm in Southern Province. This event marks a transformative moment—not just for local ranchers, but for Zambia’s broader ambition to turn cattle farming into a driver of national economic growth.
️ Auction Overview
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Stock on offer: Over 3,000 quality bulls raised by the President and his family
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Starting time: Sharp at 10:00 AM, with bidding set to begin immediately diggers.news+13diggers.news+13kalemba.news+13africa-press.net
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Special giveaway pricing: Bulls will start at K30,000—significantly below market value—for a total expected revenue of K90 million diggers.news+1agriculture.einnews.com+1
Dual Objectives: Empowerment & Education
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Boost breeder capacity
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The discounted pricing aims to help Zambian farmers access better breeding stock, improving cattle quality nationwide .
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Highlight agribusiness as a career
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President Hichilema revealed that revenue from the auction will help fund his two youngest sons’ master’s degrees, instilling agribusiness values in the next generation
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Export Ambitions & National Strategy
President Hichilema used the auction platform to underscore his vision:
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Zambia aims to transition from a mining-led economy to a livestock export powerhouse, targeting US$1 billion in annual beef exports
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He emphasised that Angola, the DRC, UAE, and Saudi Arabia are prime markets where Zambian beef can compete with imports from Brazil or Argentina
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Supporting systems—including Animal Disease-Free Compartments, health checks, and farmer financing—are being developed to uphold export quality standards
Accountability & Governance
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Initially, government spokesman Cornelius Mweetwa stated that proceeds from the sale are not subject to taxation since they’re not public funds
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This was later clarified by State House’s Clayson Hamasaka, affirming the President’s intention to pay all due taxes and demonstrate leadership by example
Why This Matters
| Impact Area | Significance |
|---|---|
| Local farmers | Access to affordable quality bulls will elevate herd quality and productivity |
| Educational ethos | Selling cattle to finance his sons’ studies promotes lifelong learning and agribusiness |
| Economic diversification | Pivoting away from mining, the cattle industry could generate thousands of jobs and export revenues |
| Transparency | Addressing taxation restores trust in fair practice across public/private sectors |
Conclusion
President Hichilema’s upcoming bull auction isn’t just an agricultural event—it’s a carefully orchestrated move, blending economic strategy, social empowerment, and personal accountability. By tying education to livestock sales, he sends a clear message: farming is a smart business, an export opportunity—and a pathway to prosperity for Zambia’s future.
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