By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Zambian Breweries (ZB) says that Cassava should be commercialized and industrialized as it is used in the manufacturing of various products.
ZB Corporate Affairs Manager Ezekiel Sekele said the company has been working with Government and Luapula Province administration to help industrialize and commercialize cassava.
Mr Sekele was speaking during a plenary session of the Meet the Farmers Virtual Summit 2020, under the theme ‘innovation, Agriculture, Future’.
He said Zambian Breweries is among the pioneers in this country who have commercialized cassava.
Mr Sekele said Zambian Breweries in the last ten years has been producing a product called Eagle Lager, using cassava.
“ZB gets cassava from Luapula Province, from Northern Province, from Muchinga Province, working with over 6,000 small-scale farmers.” The country’s largest brewing company says it remains committed to empowering local farmers by helping them increase productivity in an efficient and environmentally sustainable manner,” he said.
He also said the company is targeting to buy between 3,000 and 4,000 tonnes of cassava in 2020 from last year’s 3,000 tonnes.
Speaking when he opened the summit Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo said that government sought to endorse and partner with such initiatives.
Mr Katambo said Meet the Farmers Virtual Summit is offering innovative solutions to cushion some of the negative impacts that have arisen due to the cancellation of important Agriculture events.
