Zambia earmarks its first ever rice processing plant for Muchinga Province

The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development is set to fund the first ever rice processing plant in Muchinga Province.

It says this is in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision of empowering local small-scale farmers and contributing to Zambia’s economic growth.

Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Elias Mubanga announced the development in Nakonde district when he toured a 50-hectare rice farm which was funded by the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).

“It is sad that after harvesting the rice, farmers have to cross over to Tanzania to process it because on the Zambian side there is no rice processing plant,” Mubanga said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The Minister assured that the plant would ensure that farmers added value to their grain and reduce logistical costs in processing the rice.

“Nakonde is well known for rice production due to the favourable climatic conditions, but when the rice is processed in Tanzania, it becomes expensive. So, we want it to be processed locally so that the price of the commodity can be affordable for all,” he added.

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