Zambia’s High Commissioner to India has urged Kirloskar Group, a one hundred and twenty- five-year-old multi- million-dollar Indian company manufacturing small tractors, oil engines, generator sets and water pumps. to consider Zambia as a destination of choice for trade and investment.
Mrs. kapijimpanga says initiatives such as small tractors technically known as power tillers have helped India to be food sufficient despite having a one point three billion population.
Speaking in Pune, when she toured Kirloskar Group, Ms. Kapijimpanga says technology such as the power -tillers manufactured by Kirloskar have largely contributed to the growth of the agriculture sector in India which Zambia is looking forward to tapping into.
She says Zambia puts premium on agriculture adding that mechanisation through the use of affordable technologies such as power tillers can go a long way in empowering small-scale farmers.
The High Commissioner has urged Kirloskar to showcase the company’s agricultural solutions during the Zambia International Trade Fair, Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show, Southern Province Investment Expo, Copperbelt Investment Expo, North Western Province Investment Expo, among others.
Ms Kapijimpanga says setting up its operations in Zambia would help in technology and skills transfer especially that many youths in the country are graduating from vocational training colleges.
She adds that Indian products have a niche in Zambia because they are durable and cost effective.
She further urged the company to take advantage of the huge rebates on importation of agricultural machinery that the Zambian government has put in place.
And Kirloskar Group Chief Executive Officer Rajendra Deshpande says his company has made huge impact in Maharashtra, which is among the highest sugar producing states of India, and beyond.
He says Kirloskar deliberately focuses on farm mechanisation for small and medium scale farmers because they cannot afford big horsepower agricultural machinery.
Mr. Deshpande says Kirloskar will immediately engage a business partner for assembling and distribution of power tillers as it ponders a future working relationship with Zambia.
This is contained in a statement released by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in India Bangwe Naviley.