Silverlands Zambia Limited says it has invested about one million US Dollars since 2013 in agriculture sector in Central Province.

The company also says Central Province has huge potential to feed the whole Southern African region because of the huge investment opportunities in agriculture and favorable climatic conditions.

The company operates in Central and Southern Provinces is currently running one of the biggest farms under irrigation in Serenje, where it is primarily growing wheat, soya beans and maize seed.

Farm General manager Niec Conradie said the company which employs more than 600 people had realised that the country was also blessed with favorable climatic conditions as well as friendly and hardworking people.

“And I think Central Province leans itself to that; if you go from Mkushi to Serenje up north, you will discover that there is a lot of water potential, good summer rainfall and we’ve got a mild winter climate which is conducive for good production,” he said.

Mr. Conradie was after Central Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kabwe toured the farm in Serenje Farm Block ahead of the Central Province Investment Forum and Expo next month.

The Expo which will run from 8 to 13 October, 2018 will be held under the theme, ‘Accelerating Investment for Inclusive and Sustainable Development’ is expected to attract more than 150 potential investors seeking opportunities various sectors.

Mr. Conradie noted that the Expo could help in enhancing economic development of the Province in particular and the country at large.

“And Zambia develops, entire southern Africa benefits, and I would like to see other investors coming in this area because it needs more investors to develop it and we are also looking forward to financial assistance in the development of big projects like the big dam we want to build,” he said.

He however, appealed to the Water Resource Management (WARMA) to expedite the approval of the application by the company to construct a dam in the area to boost agriculture.

And Mr Kabwe said the investment by Silverlands was a clear response to the Government aspiration of reducing development inequalities as desired by the country’s Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).

“Those who are criticizing us, let them continue, but our eye are on the ball, we’re focused and we want to bring investment in Central Province. They can talk because they are paid to talk but us we’ll work because we want to see that our people in Serenje to enjoy,” he said.

He assured that he would liaise with WARMA to ensure that the proposal of a dam by Silverlands was approved to boost production and further enhance the economy of the region.