CENTRAL PROVINCE FARMERS CRY FOR CASSAVA MILLING PLANT

WE are concerned with the Government’s continued delay in opening a milling plant in our district which will benefit a number of small-scale farmers who are cassava growers, Wasabala farms agro manager Ryan Nkandu has said.

Speaking to The Scoop, the farmer urged the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture to expedite works on the construction of the milling plant in Chitambo District of Central Province which was an agricultural area saying commissioning of a cassava milling plant would activate a ready-market for farm produce such as millet, soya beans, and cassava among others from the smallholder farmers.

He said most of the small businesses around the cassava and soya beans value chain would create a ripple effect on the economy of the district and the country as a whole once the milling plant was fully established and operational.

“Chitambo District has a large number of farmers who mainly grow cassava, millet and soya beans but market for these crops has been a challenge for us. Therefore, if the Government fastens the opening of a cassava milling plant as we were promised, then we would find a market from our value addition.

“The Government through the Ministry of Agriculture assured the farmers that a cassava milling plant was going to be opened and this brought serious anxiety among the farmers in the district and the surrounding areas because the plant is expected to create more direct and indirect employment opportunities,” Mr. Nkandu said.

He noted that the construction of the milling plant had paused for about four years yet the farmers still remained hopeful of its completion adding that cassava was mostly consumed in its traditional form for its leaves, as a snack and for preparing nshima using the pounded cassava tuber.

“The Government should ensure it expedites the construction works of the milling plant so that it can create employment for the youths and also help the farmers sustain their livelihoods.

“Farmers are not supposed to face challenges in selling their cassava because cassava has many uses and it is liked by almost everyone. Once the milling plant is commissioned there will be a need for driers to help farmers dry their cassava especially during the rainy season when it is difficult to dry the cassava,” he said.