Thu, 22 Feb 2018 10:47:49 +0000
By SANDRA MACHIMA
THE Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) is set to offer effective support to the Cashew Infrastructure Development Project in Mongu, says its executive director Manuel Mutale.
Mr Mutale said ZABS was working with the project team in facilitating construction of testing laboratories in Mongu which when operational would enable processors test the quality of their cashew products.
“This is through the development of standards which will ensure the quality and safety of products.
The Cashew Infrastructure Development Project (CIDP) is a US$55 million dollar project supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
He said the Technical Committee was meeting to draft standards on cashew nut products in Mongu, adding ZABS had a responsibility to ensure there was a local and international acceptance for the cashew products on the market.
“This can only be achieved if standards and codes of practices that will help industry, are put in place.
And as ZABS we develop standards, which when implemented will enhance the quality and safety of our locally processed products under the cashew project,” he said.
Mr Mutale said the cashew products that conform to standards was expected to be acceptable in the regional and international markets, adding that the bureau would not end at facilitating the development of the standards but would also offer mentorship programmes that would see the industry implementing the standards for cashew products.
And Western Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba said there was need for consistency in the quality of cashew products for them to be accepted both in the local and international market.
Mr Simuchoba said the involvement of ZABS in the project would see the industry significantly boost the economy of Western Province and Zambia at large through exports.
“Without the support of ZABS through the development of standards and provision of testing facilities cannot be achieved,” he said.
