Fri, 18 Aug 2017 11:12:41 +0000
By Buumba Chimbulu
GOVERNMENT says it has engaged Northern Coffee (Olam Coffee) to build a processing plant and commence outgrower schemes at the company with a view of transforming it into a coffee belt for Africa.
According to Finance Minister Felix Mutati, discussions had advanced with Olam to build a coffee processing plant and also commence a coffee outgrower scheme.
Mr. Mutati said Government was fully committed to injecting funds to support the irrigation system at Northern coffee to operationalise the much needed out grower scheme projects.
“We want to use existing farmers such as Olam who is already growing coffee.
Working with the World Bank, we have a facility for outgrowers but what we are refusing to do is to begin to sprinkle this support to anyone who is already on the scheme of becoming an outgrower again, it does not work,” he said.
He said in an interview recently that the plantation was envisaged to be one of the biggest in the world once this project was operationalised.
Mr. Mutati said the project would create opportunities for the people not only in Northern Province but also in Zambia.
“So we are selecting anchor farmers such as Olam and say give us a mini master place on how you want to develop the outgrower schemes, including the skills you will impart and supportive issues,
“Olam has already submitted to us a concept note which is going to be developed, mainly support will be in the irrigation area so we are going to access the funds from the World Bank to support the outgrowers in a sensible and sustainable manner,” he said.
