Bioenergy firm calls for biofuel policy to unlock $100 million for rural cassava farmers

Richard Bennett, whose company plays in the bio-energy sector, has called for the urgent implementation of a biofuel statutory instrument policy.

Bennett said the lack of a clear biofuel policy remained the biggest obstacle to unlocking significant financing and industrial-scale cassava production in the country.

Speaking during a high-level meeting with Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Prudence Chinama, in Mansa on Thursday, Bennett noted that Zambia spent more than US$500 million annually on fuel imports.

He explained in a statement issued on Saturday that enacting a statutory instrument mandating a 10 to 20 percent biofuel blend could redirect US$100 million into rural communities through cassava farming.

“Luapula has recorded some of the highest cassava yields globally. However, the absence of a policy is the only barrier standing in the way of unlocking major funding and scaling cassava production,” he said.

Operations Lead, Mark Muchinga, disclosed that successful biofuel trials had already been conducted, confirming the viability of blended fuels.

Muchinga added that with support from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and GIZ, Sunbird Bio-energy had helped local farmers increase yields from 300 kilogrammes per hectare to as much as 80 tonnes.

Meanwhile, Chinama said Luapula had the natural endowments and climate necessary to support national development, and should be a destination for labour, not a source of it.

She reaffirmed the Provincial Administration’s commitment to promoting industrialisation and job creation in the region.

“Plans are underway to engage Cabinet Office to expedite key processes that would unlock investment in the province,” Chinama said.

The meeting concluded with a joint call for continued collaboration with institutions like CEEC and GIZ to protect rural livelihoods and boost the biofuel sector.

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