IDC plans fruit processing plant in Mwinilunga

INDUSTRIAL Development Corporation (IDC) has signed an investment commitment worth K100 million with the North-Western provincial administration.

And the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) has pledged to plant 300 hectares of exotic trees in Mushindamo and Kalumbila districts.

The K100 million will go towards the setting up of a fruit processing plant in Mwinilunga called Kalene Hills Fruit Company Limited.

Speaking during the signing ceremony yesterday, IDC chief finance officer, Chearyp Sokoni, said IDC’s decision to investment in North-Western Province had been driven by its mandate of industrialisation, rural development and job creation. Ms Sokoni said the plant’s installed capacity of 14 million bottles per year was expected to generate an estimated $4 million in export revenue per annum upon attainment of production stability.

She said the plant which was expected to be ready for full production by the third quarter of 2020 would produce pineapple and mango pulp, juice, dry fruits, purees, sauces and mineral water, among others.

She further disclosed that the project would create about 200 direct jobs and about 7,000 indirect jobs while an estimated 3,000 small-scale farmers would access the out grower scheme to be anchored through the IDC.

“The project will also make for sustainable economic empowerment of the local people,’’ she said. And ZAFFICO plantation manager, Daniel Lumbeta, said his company would establish plantations in the province saying so far, two districts namely Mushindamo and Kalumbila, had been earmarked.

And North-western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu said the signing of the investment pledges was a clear indication of the government’s commitment of what it would like to do in its quest to transform the province.

“This is just the beginning of our journey, and while all these signing agreements are being done and as we continue sourcing for more investment, we still appeal to the people of North-western Province to be part and parcel of this process by being active participants,” he said.