By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
THE Luapula Cassava Growers Association (LCGA) has been formed in the Province which is swiftly becoming a cassava-belt.
Executive member Chisha Kaputula said the association is targeting to register more than 2000 farmers in the interim.
“We have formed an association for the farmers to have a strong voice in terms of pricing and input access for cassava farmers in the province,” Mr Kaputula said.
He said in an interview yesterday that the association would also encourage an increase in cassava production in the Province.
The Province has in recent times been on the international spotlight in terms of cassava potential following increased value addition activities and market prospects.
Zambia Breweries Plc is buying the commodity for its clear beer massive project with Musika Development Initiative and Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission among others supporting the cassava value chain.
Mr Kaputula said who has procured starch manufacturing equipment awaiting installation assured of cassava revolution in the province.
“We are just waiting for a Chinese team to come and install the starch processing machinery which is laying idle for us to start making starch from cassava.
This crop we neglected for a long time has a lot of value which can compete favourably with commodities such as Copper,” he said.
