The Zambia National Service (ZNS) is in the final stages of acquiring Mataba Millers Zambia Limited in Mufulira on the Copperbelt, in a strategic move aimed at strengthening the country’s food security and expanding national milling capacity.
Speaking when he toured the facility in Mufulira yesterday, the ZNS Commander Lieutenant General Engineer Maliti Solochi II disclosed that the Service has already paid 75 percent of the acquisition cost for the milling plant, with the remaining 25 percent expected to be settled by the end of this year.
Lt. Gen Solochi said the acquisition will significantly enhance ZNS’s capacity to process maize and contribute to the country’s food value chain.
“The plant has a production capacity of 200 metric tonnes per day and is equipped with Alapala machinery, which is among the best milling equipment in the world,” he said.
The Commander noted that the acquisition package includes a fully operational milling plant, a weighbridge, specialized trucks, as well as 32 depots strategically located across the country.
“This is a major investment that will strengthen our contribution to national food security while creating efficiencies in the movement, storage and processing of grain and mealie meal,” Lt Gen Solochi said.
Meanwhile, the ZNS Commander also toured ZNS Musakashi Farm in Mufulira, where the Service acquired 310 hectares of land dedicated to irrigated crop production. The Farm has six 54 hectares center pivots.
The farm is currently producing wheat, soya beans and maize under irrigation as part of efforts to increase agricultural output and support Zambia’s food reserves.
During the tour, Lt Gen Solochi challenged officers and personnel at the farm to intensify production and maximize the potential of the land.
“I urge you to work extra hard and increase production so that ZNS can continue making a meaningful contribution to national food security,” he said.
He commended the unit for the progress made so far and emphasized the importance of modern farming practices in achieving sustainable agricultural growth.
The acquisition of the milling plant and the expansion of irrigated farming operations underscore ZNS’s growing role in Zambia’s agricultural transformation and efforts to ensure a stable food supply for the nation.
