Oscar J Jeke
Newly-commissioned, Champion Foods that boasts of three milling plants, has become one the biggest milling plants in the country with a capacity to produce 500 metric tonnes of maize meal per day, while also reaching a capacity of processing 200 metric tonnes of wheat per day.
The plant was commissioned today by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Tynwald Milling Complex signifying the importance of agricultural value chain development.
The privately-owned company by entrepreneurs, Douglas Kwande and Patrick Mnangagwa falls behind National Foods and Blue Ribbon Foods in the pecking order. However, its entry into the agro-industry signifies key steps in diversity and breaking monopolies in the market, as it is set to produce maize meal, flour and stock feed.
In his address after the commissioning of the milling plant, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that agriculture plays an important role in the growth of the economy, noting that the majority of people in Zimbabwe depend on agriculture.
“The importance of agriculture as the engine for Zimbabwe’s sustainable economic development cannot be overemphasised. As you are aware, over 70% of livelihoods are directly and indirectly linked to the agriculture sector.
“The sector presents great potential to leapfrog the economy, given its capacity to influence the development of various services such as manufacturing financing, insurance, and logistics, among others. I challenge our communities, young people and entrepreneurs, to take advantage of the opportunities that these critical services have to offer,” he said.
On private players’ role in the economy, President Mnangagwa said the Champion Foods investment ensures growth and productivity that guarantees prosperity in the nation, while also extending his vision to other prospective players to also invest in the country as there are lots of opportunities in the other parts of the country.
“The investment by Champions Foods is one of the ways the private sector is playing its part in growing our economy. Through initiatives such as this one, my government is ensuring the building of stronger and productive communities, which guarantees that we lift many of our people out of poverty into prosperity.
“I invite other players to set up more value addition centres across the country, while also supporting increased production and productivity enough to sustain the investment. That way we achieve sustainable localised ‘rural’ agricultural-linked economic development,” he added.
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