.Bob Sichinga

By JAMES KUNDA –

Government is expected to spend at least K200 million on modification of some sections of  the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) plant in Kafue, to maintain long-term performance and boost production capacity.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Robert Sichinga said some existing sections of the NCZ still required refurbishment and  the success of the programme would enable the company to produce more than 200,000 tonnes of compound-D fertiliser in 2014.
“Some existing sections of the plant need to be rehabilitated, as others require modification to meet certain operational requirements. Government is continuing with the refurbishment programme for NCZ to ensure efficient operations that will augment production,” he said.
Government’s  focus was to maximise the potential for NCZ to boost production of basal dressing fertiliser before embarking on manufacturing Urea.
Mr Sichinga  said the private sector was at liberty to partner with the Government in an effort to improve operations of the NCZ.
In 2013, NCZ produced 95,000 tonnes of basal dressing fertiliser for distribution to 900,000 farmers under the 2013/14 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
The firm also produced 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser which could also be applied as a top dresser by farmers in areas which did not receive adequate Urea.
Due to its incapacity to produce Urea, Zambia was forced to import 50,000 tonnes of the commodity from Saudi Arabia for onward delivery to farmers under the FISP.