USAID injects $2m into food processing sector

By MAILESI BANDA THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has given Zambia about $2 million to help grow the food processing sector through the Solutions for African Foods Enterprises (SAFE) project.

SAFE chief of party, Jonathan Thomas said the value of food purchased in East and Southern Africa will grow seven fold by 2040 if the food processing sector is equipped with technical and business skills.

Mr. Thomas said all that needs to be done for the sector to reach this attainment is the empowering of food processors with food processing best practices, such as manufacturing and food safety packaging, marketing and budgeting and planning.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr. Thomas said Zambia has the potential to produce and process food for both the local and export market, adding that the aim of the partnership between USAID and SAFE was to promote competitiveness.

“The partnership in food solutions between USAID and SAFE is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the African food processing sector and expand the availability of affordable and nutritious foods for the African population,” Mr. Thomas said.

He explained that the first phase of the project which was launched in 2012 and ends this year has benefited more than 1, 000 food processors who source from more than 800, 000 small holder farmers.

Mr. Thomas said value addition was key for the development of the agriculture sector in Africa adding that while the manufacturing sector grew it stimulated the growth of farmers especially small scale farmers.