By MAIMBOLWA  MULIKELELA –
THE Nansanga Farm Bloc in Serenje District is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2017 at an investment of US$60 million, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has said.
To-date, the Government has invested more than $30 million in backbone infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
According to the IDC, about 350 small and medium-sized farms would be developed to serve as units for the out-grower schemes.
An IDC spokesperson said in Lusaka yesterday that the construction of paddocks and feeder roads in the core venture and around the farm bloc, as well as stocking of animals, were expected to commence soon.
About 100,000 hectares of land had been set aside for agricultural development activities.
The spokesperson explained that about 11,921 hectares, comprising two large farms of 9,350 hectares and 2,571 hectares collectively called the core venture, would be developed by the institution through a joint venture.
“The existing backbone infrastructure such as the roads, power and three bridges and three dams will be used and will benefit the small and medium-scale farms,” the spokesperson said.
The IDC indicated that the core venture investor was expected to develop its own plans, adding that the Corporation would put up two dams within the core venture.
“The intent is to set up an integrated agriculture operation in the core venture that will support outgrower around and within the 100, 000 ha farm bloc either solely by the IDC or through a joint venture.”
The planned cultivation of soya beans, wheat, maize and cotton from the Nansanga farm bloc is expected to feed into the textile and oil processing plant at Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe, which is an IDC subsidiary.
Furthermore, the plan is to also set up a livestock operation for dairy and meat production. Discussions have reached an advanced stage with the ministry of Livestock to supply the project with livestock.