Maravi

Serfontein bemoans lack of infrastructure

Serfontein bemoans lack of infrastructure
By Florence Bupe
Monday July 16, 2007 [04:00]

OMNIA Fertiliser Zambia Limited managing director Bertie Serfontein has said inadequate infrastructure is hampering Zambia’s potential to become the bread basket of the Southern African region. And Serfontein disclosed that his company has invested K84.1 billion in agricultural inputs in readiness for the 2007/ 2008 farming season. Serfontein said more investments needed to be made in sectors such as roads, rail and electricity networks.

“I firmly believe that Zambia must become the bread basket of this region. Why then are we not there at the moment? Infrastructure underdevelopment is severely hindering this possibility,” he said.

Serfontein said once agricultural supporting infrastructure was improved, the sector would boom and become a major earner of foreign currency.
“Once these networks are put in place, the farmers and private sector will have easier access to the surrounding markets and we will see the agricultural sector explode,” said Serfontein.

And giving an update on the company’s preparedness for the forthcoming farming season, Serfontein disclosed that the company has invested K84.1 million in agricultural inputs in readiness for the 2007/ 2008 farming season.

Serfontein said the farming inputs had already been disbursed to various points around the country and would soon be distributed to small-scale and commercial farmers.
“Due to the trust and confidence Omnia has in Zambia, we have already stocked up with various products to the value to US $22 million. This stock is scattered around the country and is ready to be released to the farmers,” Serfontein said. “Our agronomists are currently collecting soil samples for analysis to be able to make recommendations well in advance for the coming maize planting season.”

Labels: AGRICULTURE, BERTIE SERFONTEIN, INFRASTRUCTURE

posted by MrK @ 10:21 AM