‘Zambia’s 20 p.c. agro produce goes to waste’

SILIYA

By RABECCA CHIPANTA –
AGRICULTURE Minister Dora Siliya says about 20 per cent of the country’s produce goes to waste due to lack of proper storage facilities.
Speaking during a tour of a Polish firm, FEERUM SA which specialises in silos and grain dryers and has intentions of expanding its businesses to Zambia, Ms Siliya said the implementation of such a project would serve the country well.
This is contained in a statement made available to the Times by Zambia’s first secretary for press and publuc relations at the Germany embassy, Yvonne Shibemba.
Ms Siliya said that Zambia was one of the largest producers of grain in the Southern region and expressed happiness at FEERUM SA’s plans to invest in the country as the country was committed to food storage.
“The country is in no doubt interested in the food storage facilities and milling plants, and indeed with such improved storage facilities, Zambia can position itself as the largest exporter of maize in the region, “she said.
Ms Siliya said Zambia had prioritized the agriculture sector and it was Government’s wish to continue to witness an increased maize production.
She encouraged FEERUM SA president Daniel Janusz to invest in Zambia and further assured him of her Ministry’s full cooperation and support on the proposed project till a successful implementation of the same.
And Mr Janusz indicated his company’s readiness to construct  10 silos and two milling plants in Zambia.
He further informed Ms Siliya who was in the company of Zambia’s ambassador to Poland Bwalya Chiti that the Polish Government was ready to finance the whole project.
“As a company, we are more than ready to invest in Zambia and provide the silos that Zambia needs.  With the silos once constructed, the Zambian farmers will be encouraged to produce more,” he said.
Ms Shibemba said Ms Siliya undertook the visit following recommendation by the Zambian Mission in Berlin that she visits FEERUM S.A. production facilities and silos during her visit to Berlin to attend the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture.
She said FEERUM S.A.prides itself as being the biggest player in the European market that specialises in production of silos and grain dryers.