ZABS plan training for dairy, agoprocessing sectors

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

MICRO, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the dairy and agro-processing sectors have been earmarked to undergo a three-day training this month on the importance of safety and hygiene organised by the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS).

ZABS is targeting to train 40 MSMEs to ensure quality and safety of food that is produced for consumers.

The training is also part of ZABS effort towards achieving one of its key objectives which is to “to impart Standardisation and Quality Assurance knowledge and skills to Industry and other stakeholders.”

According to ZABS head of marketing and public relations, Hazel Zulu, the training sessions under the dairy sector would be based on standards on food hygiene, labelling and packaging, milk specifications and handling.

Ms. Zulu said in a statement that the training in agro-processing would include standards on food hygiene, labelling, peanut butter, jams, jellies, and marmalade processing among others.

“We are confident that such training will enhance the quality, competitiveness and safety of products on the market which in turn will boost consumer confidence and translate into business growth and consequently economic growth,” she said.

She said ZABS was conducting the training in collaboration with the Dairy Association of Zambia and Zambia Development Agency who had taken interest in having their members trained to help them produce competitive products.

Ms. Zulu also said MSMEs in the agriculture, food and other sectors had been earmarked for training to be conducted for the remainder of the year.

She had since urged MSMEs in other sectors to partner with ZABS to help improve the quality, competitiveness and safety of their products through effective standards application.

“We look at MSMEs as strategic partners in national development hence the need for them to ensure that training and skills development becomes a priority in their business processes,” she said.