Works at the Cassava Milling Plant (CMP) in Chitambo District have advanced and the US2.4 million plant is projected to have annual earnings amounting to US1 million from the sell of feed and flour extracted from the climate resilient tuber.

In a statement issued to Money FM news Chitambo District Coordinating Officer, Katumwa Mutandi says the major shareholder Chitambo District Cooperative Unit will buy more than 40,000 tonnes of Cassava annually in an effort to support farming activities in the country and enhance profits for farmers.

Mr Mutandi said that currently the milling plant has registered 5000 farmers who will be supplying cassava which will also enhance the production of cassava in Zambia.

He was speaking when Chitambo Town Council (CTC) Chairperson, Laston Chibuye toured the plant in Chitambo District recently.
The million dollar project is likely to be finalized a month after installation of equipment in September this year.

“The plant has a flour line of 2 tonnes per hour and feed line of 1 tonnes per hour, annually we are looking at production of 40,000 tonnes of production. Things are in place and we will finalize this September, we also have another facility that will ensure we are not emitting polluted air to the public,” Mr Mutandi said.

Mr Chibuye expressed happiness that the Ministry of Agriculture is strengthening and expanding out-grower schemes in Zambia in order include several high value crops and create more jobs in Chitambo District.

The Chairperson said this would help promote and diversify high value crops such as Cassava which will lead to more jobs in rural areas. The CMP has so far created more than 22 jobs and will undoubtedly create more once it is operational. People in the rural economy need to diversify their activities as the Government would like to see farmers diversify in high value crops.

Mr Chibuye said despite massive improvement in the Agricultural sector contribution to the country’s gross domestic product Chitambo District still lags behind in Agriculture out put and productivity as farmers are inclined to cultivating maize.

He challenged farmers in the District to take advantage of the business opportunities the plant poses by growing more cassava because the market for the crop is readily available.

“We are very pleased with the ongoing works at this plant and the development will have a positive impact to the people of Chitambo District,” Mr Chibuye said.