(TIMES) Tomato processing plant plans hailed
Tomato processing plant plans hailedBy CHAMBO NG’UNI
GOVERNMENT says the proposed establishment of a tomato processing plant in Central Province will create market for farmers and the much-needed jobs.
Central Province permanent secretary Denny Lumbama has welcomed the move by Freshpikt and a United States-based firm, PS International to establish a tomato processing plant in the area.
Mr Lumbama said it is the desire of the Government to see investment in processing of various agricultural produce because the province is an agriculture hub adding that farmers in areas like Mkushi and Chibombo grow abundant tomatoes.
He said the establishment of US$42 million processing plant will add value to the crop thereby creating jobs and market for farmers in the area.
Mr Lumbama said this in an interview in Kabwe recently.
He said tomatoes are mainly sold for consumption and there is a lot of wastage because of the absence of processing plants.
“This is a very good development for Central Province to have a processing plant of tomatoes especially that Central Province is an agriculture province,” he said.
Freshpikt is this month expected to finalise a US$ 42 million joint venture partnership deal with PS International that will enable the firm to process tomatoes on a large scale.
The two firms are expected to establish a tomato processing plant in Central Province early next year. The firm is expected to start processing of tomato puree, paste and concentrate.
A team of senior directors from PS International are scheduled in the country this month to finalise the Memorandum of Understanding to pave way for the project.
This follows Freshpikt and PS International signing of a letter of intent to process tomatoes starting this year up to 2016. The deal was signed during the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum which was held in Lusaka in June this year.
Labels: AGOA, AGRICULTURE, DENNY LUMBAMA
posted by MrK @ 7:29 AM
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