By HELEN ZULU –

ZAMBIAN Fertilisers Limited has established a branch in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where it exported more than 2, 000 tonnes of fertiliser in 2013.

Company sales manager Gene Phiri said the export figures were this year expected to rise due to high demand.

Speaking at the 88th Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka at the weekend, Mr Phiri said the company had opened a branch in DRC to expand its market and was expecting the export figures to increase.

The customers were happy with the company’s products.

The firm is in a process of constructing a new plant in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ).

This is expected to increase its production capacity from the current 100 tonnes to 400 tonnes per day.

Mr Phiri said that works had commenced and the construction of the new plant was expected to be completed by December this year.

He noted that the Zambian agricultural industry was growing, hence the construction of the new plant to meet the rising demand.

Mr Phiri said this would further contribute to the country’s economic growth and job creation for the local people.

“The Zambian agriculture industry is expanding and because of that we are also expanding, we are putting up a new plant in the Lusaka South MFEZ which will increase our production capacity to 400 tonnes per day from the current 100 tonnes per day,” Mr Phiri said

Mr Phiri said the new plant would mean no shortage of fertiliser in the country and farmers would be assured of a constant supply of input, adding that food security would also be enhanced.

“Farmers are able to get more yields now, because of the new technology, improved fertiliser and the practice of conservation farming,” he said.