REVIVING LOCAL INDUSTRIES

THE revival of industries in rural areas is crucial to the overall national development.

It is important that all provinces in the country have viable industries to keep the local communities active as well as contributing to the national economy.

Zambia is facing challenges in various aspects of the economy and not least the depreciation of the national currency, the Kwacha, against other hard currencies.

While this is presenting challenges to many households because of the cascading impact of the depreciation on the prices of many commodities like fuel and foodstuffs, it is not a permanent situation.

With concerted effort, the nation can and will pull out of this depressing situation.

Investing in industrialisation in different parts of the country is one way of reviving economic activities in those regions.

In the recent past, Government has been re-investing in companies that had been abandoned following the privatisation process that ended up killing so many of the companies which had been the geese that laid the golden eggs.

From Eastern Province, Southern, Western to the Northern and Luapula provinces, many viable companies that had been lying idle since the privatisation process, are being given a second chance with fresh injection of capital.

New projects have also been initiated in some provinces which promise to be the key to help turn around the economic fortunes of the country.

We are aware of the oil exploration in the Northern, Southern, Muchinga and Luapula provinces by Tullow as well as the re-igniting of the Munushi Banana Scheme, Kawambwa Tea Company as well as the various projects launched in Luapula following the hosting of a successful expo.

It is therefore gratifying to note that Government has continued on this same trajectory of increasing economic opportunities by investing US$55.4 million to promote cashew nut production through the Cashew Nuts Infrastructure Development project in Western Province.

This was announced by President Edgar Lungu yesterday who hoped that Zambia becomes a major player in the global cashew nuts industry.

R Lungu said the project should be taken very seriously because Zambia would need to make a return on the US$55.4m invested in the project.

He said his administration would not rest until increased cashew nuts production was increased in Western Province and benefit of cashew business trickled down to the people of the region.

The President also noted that Zambia was currently not meeting its capacity in the cashew production with only 850 metric tonnes with only about 1.7 million trees.

Cashew production was once the pride of Western Province and we do not see any reason why this status should not be regained. Government has shown political will to revive this sector and it is now up to the locals to embrace this with 100 percent commitment.

It is also worth noting that the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) is on board with the development of the cashew sector.

Speaking on behalf of the Barotse Royal Establishment Ngambela Mukela Manyando said the cashew project did not come by accident in the province but to ease poverty levels in the area.

This is encouraging and is a sure way of success of the project. When local people are involved in projects and have a direct benefit, success is assured.