BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
@SunZambia
ZAMBIAN Breweries Plc (ZB) last year bought seven million kilograms of cassava valued at about K10 million from local farmers which went a long way in improving their lot.
Company corporate affairs director, Ezekiel Sekele said the brewing company through its agro-processing was supporting small to large-scale enterprises.
Mr Sekele explained that this was done through sourcing of its main beer ingredients, such as barley, cassava, sorghum and maize locally.
He was speaking in Lusaka when the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) and Zambia Manufacturers Association (ZAM) toured the Zambian Breweries plant.
“We are grateful to all our key stakeholders; government, ZACCI and ZAM for the commitment in supporting ventures that grow and develop the lives of Zambians,” Mr Sekele said.
And ZACCI president, Michael Nyirenda, commended Zambian Breweries for promoting value addition.
Mr Nyirenda urged ZB to continue supporting the local farmers.
“Zambian Breweries’ value addition draws government’s effort in creating a Zambian economy where we use our raw materials from locally produced crops such as cassava, maize, barley, and sorghum to produce products for the local market as well as for export.
“This is a huge investment to Zambia what you see in a beer bottle is much more value addition to the economy,” said Mr Niyrenda.
