Cassava purchasing season launched in Luapula
Written by Millennium on July 27, 2020
THE 2020 Cassava purchasing season has been launched in Luapulawith Zambia Breweries announcing the hike in quantities the company intends purchase this year.
Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa says the decision by Zambian Breweries to increase the quantity of cassava to be purchased from Luapula small scale farmers this year shows the value and the attractiveness of the crop.
Mr Chilangwa praised Zambian Breweries for targeting to increase tonnage of cases they will purchase from last year’s 3000 tonnes to 3,150 tons of cassava.
He said Zambian Breweries and its partners such as Musika have made the cassava sub-sector a key economic unit worth more investment in in Luapula Province.
The Minister said this in a speech read for him by Luapula Province Assistant Secretary Charles Daka during the launch of the 2020 cassava harvest season at Mansa Farm Institute.
He noted that the launch of the cassava purchasing season is another milestone in the cassava value chain.
Mr Chilangwa thanked Zambian Breweries for donating COVID-19 equipment such as foot operated handwashing stations, face masks, safety goggles, thermometers among others that will be used by cassava farmers at all cassava purchasing centres.
The Minister also commended Musika for donating a brand new motor vehicle towards the cassava project in Luapula Province.
Meanwhile, Mansa Mayor Emmanuel Chungu has urged farmers to venture into cassava growing because it is less costly as compared to other crops such as maize.
And Luapula Province Investments Coordinator Joseph Maopu has urged youths in Luapula Province to take advantage of the economic opportunities offered by the cassava value chain to improve their livelihoods.
Mr Maopu disclosed that the Provincial Administration has promoted out-grower schemes in cassava, tea, banana and sugarcane value chains, hence the need for the youths to seize the opportunity.
Speaking when he handed over the vehicle to the farmers, MusikaManager for Cassava Diversification Chisi Chisi thanked government for its continued promotion of private sector led development initiatives.
Mr Chisi cited Musika’s investment in the Luapula Cassava value chain as one of the initiatives that government has fully supported.
He urged farmers in the province to utilise the opportunities being provided by companies like Zambian Breweries and improve their cassava farming business.
– ZANIS