Zambia’s planned agriculture reform program has continued attracting global attention with an Indian renowned consortium of investors staking US$25 million for blue bellies production.
Having acquired 5,000-hectares of land in Shiwang’andu in Muchinga province, north east of Zambia, DS Zambia Agronomy Limited, part of one of the largest Indian conglomerates, Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), has shown willingness to start its land development ahead of the production of bellies awaiting the Government’s approval for the project.
A statement from the Zambian High Commission in India and availed to FRA, the investor, with already US$300,000 sitting in its Zambian bank account for the production of blue berries at its newly-acquired 5000-hectare farm in Shiwang’andu, wants to maximise Zambia’s reform and contribute to the agricultural revolution.
Speaking at 50-hectare blueberry farm in Uttar Pradesh when Zambia’s High Commission to India Charge’ d’ Affaires, Professor Victor Mukonka toured the area, senior vice president under the Strategic Business Unit, Subodh Shishodia expressed desire to extend the business to the Southern African state with a an appeal for the Government to appealed to join hands.
The blueberry investment in Zambia, Mr. Shishodia assured, will not only bring in the much-needed foreign exchange for the country but also create employment to the locals while further facilitating skills transfer for the benefit of the country to help bolster output of the high-value-crop.
“We need approval from the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) for use of water. We also need environmental clearance among others and if we get all these approvals at the same time, we will immediately start the project.
A total 300 jobs, with 80 percent of the workforce being local, is expected to be undertaken as the company commits itself to enhancing skills transfer and technology and in turn, build capacity of the Zambians to grow the crop.
The US$25 million-planned is the initial investment planned for investment and should the approval be expedited, more would be committed and actualised and help the country develop and meet its aspiration as Africa’s food basket and plug the looming hunger.
That US $25 million injection is just the beginning. There is no limit,” stated Mr. Shishodia He was hopeful the partnership would be a learning process for Zambia on how to produce high value crops.
Prof. Mukonka noted the planned investment for Zambia and that the commitment was a good testimony of the two-countries unwavering friendship.
The Zambian embassy pledged commitment to hasten the planned investment and assist in fast-tracking various paper work pending approval.
“We have seen that what they intend to bring to Zambia is not an experiment looking at the work they are doing here. We can see that they have the experience looking at the magnitude of the work here. This is a very good project which can easily start in Zambia.
