Milling plant on cards in Chongwe

By JOHN KOMBE
Zhong Yang Eco-Agriculture Industry Park will set up a milling plant in Chalimbana ward in Chongwe, company Administrative manager, Fredrick Sashi has disclosed.
Mr. Sashi disclosed the development to the Daily Nation yesterday. He said the first phase of the project would involve the mounting of mealie meal and wheat flour milling plant equipment at a cost of US$3million.
He also disclosed that the company was currently engaging government on the possibility of a tax waiver on the importation of the machinery. He hoped that, the negotiations would be expedited so that, the equipment would arrive soon so that the project could start.
Mr. Sashi revealed that the company decided to diversify into the production of flour and mealie meal to enhance its value addition to its agriculture produce.
He said that the company currently produces wheat and maize at its commercial farm and trades in the unfinished products, but this would change and translate into more beneficial value addition. He revealed that, the project would create additional job positions to the existing 300 employees working in the agriculture production department.
Meanwhile Chongwe Municipal Council, deputy mayor, Evans M’hambi said the company’s repositioning of its operational strategy was momentous. He said the construction of the milling plant would create employment during the construction phase.
He said that, the project would also create employment for the locals once the project is completed. He said this would enhance to economic and social development.
Mr. Sashi also said the mammoth project will further raise the status of the town once the project is completed and operational.
He he was confident that the project would be realised because the firm had proved it capacity to perform through the commercial agriculture production activities which it was currently undertaking in the town.
Mr. M’hambi stated that the project would also help to stabilise the price of Mealie meal and flour products in the district and beyond and described the diversification of the company’s operations to manufacturing as innovative and progressive.