By HELEN ZULU –
A LOCAL firm is seeking a partner to help improve cassava production in the country.
Premiercon Starch Company Limited is a Solwezi-based start-up firm specialising in the promotion of the high-yielding and short-maturing cassava varieties among smallholder farmers and, subsequently, provision of a market for the raw tubers.
According to AgriPro-Focus Zambia (APF) website, Premiercon Starch Company wants to collaborate with organisations which are willing to support smallholder farmers with improved cassava cuttings.
“Premierconstarch Company Limited is seeking a partner to improve cassava production among smallholder farmers in the country.
“The company provides free extension support and training in best Agronomic practices while providing market for raw tubers,” APF states.
The company is also establishing a cassava plantation in Solwezi West to produce cassava feedstock for use in developing copper ore into copper concentrate at Kalumbila mine.
Cassava starch powder can be used as a re-agent in the processing of chalcopyrite, a copper sulfide into copper concentrate.
The company notes that Kalumbila Mine’s stock was sourced abroad but it intended to launch a 250-hectare greenfield cassava farm including a processing facility in the Kalumbila Multi-Facility Economic Zone.
The company intends to supply an estimated 1,200 tonnes of starch per annum, to the mine which is expected to process in excess of 55 million tonnes of chalcopyrite ore per year.