BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
THE revamping of Kawambwa Tea out-grower scheme will uplift farmers and thousands of people out of poverty in the area, Luapula Province Minister, Nickson Chilangwa, has said.
In a statement, Mr Chilangwa said, the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation Limited (ZAFFICO), would construct a completely new factory and introduce an out grower scheme at the tea plantation.
The new factory, he said, would encourage the out growers to grow tea for the first time since 1969
Mr Chilangwa also said the 300,000 tea cuttings to be imported from Kenya were meant to nurture the bushes for the project.
“When our President Edgar Lungu signed an acquisition order for government to repossess Kawambwa Tea Company from foreign owners and handed it to a Zambian company, ZAFFICO, he wanted this company to create jobs and other economic opportunities,” he said.
Mr Chilangwa said, “Today, ZAFFICO has done a tremendous job by revamping this company. Friends, a tea tree’s life span is 100 years. So if you have a tea field, it means you have a gold mine which will benefit your generation.”
“So all I would do if I were you is too look for a piece of land and beginning planning. Government will not employ everybody,” he said.
