President RUPIAH BANDA has challenged local agro manufacturing companies to support value addition in the agriculture sector.
Mr BANDA says this is one way to stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty and create employment opportunities.
He said this in Lusaka today when he commissioned the Fresh Pikt food canning plant.
The President urged Fresh Pikt to invest in refrigeration facilities near farming areas to ensure that fruits such as mangoes and guavas do not go to waste.
Mr BANDA also urged the financial sector to provide capital to the agro processing companies.
He said that Fresh Pikt is an example of a company that can increase employment opportunities for Zambians.
Fresh Pikt will employ about 500 people and produce over twenty different types of fruit and vegetable products.
And Fresh Pikt chairman CHANCE KABAGHE said the company has excess production capacity and is able to export to neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa and Congo.
He said plans are under way to start exporting to Europe.
ZNBC
I miss Chance as an MP.These are lawmakers we deserve who after serving their terms can still go back to non-legislative careers and contribute to national development.I wish Chance good luck and he deserves of the all Zambinas and NOT the usual PHD.
Agriculture! Can Mr. banda tell us what he did at NAMBOARD?
” President RUPIAH BANDA has challenged local agro manufacturing companies to support value addition in the agriculture sector. ”
What does that mean, ‘challenged’? Did he present or is he open to programs that would create a commercial SME sectors? Has he offered financing?
What exactly does ‘challenged’ mean?
Rupiah must just shut up
#2 SABA NJAR, That’s a great question you have asked and I support you. Indeed what did he do at NAMBOARD all those years apart from making Namboard his personal property.