adminHARARE — The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) yesterday indicated that it has finally completed its $30 million stockfeed manufacturing plant in Norton. Construction of the plant started in 2007 but lack of funding and the hyper-inflationary environment that characterised the economy then stalled progress. Speaking at the sidelines of this year’s Harare Agricultural Show, a top official from GMB told New Ziana the plant was now operational.
“Our plant is now complete and operational. Some of the products are already on the market and we are exhibiting some of them here,” said the official who requested anonymity due to company restrictions on speaking to the media. “We hope the plant will change the fortunes of the organisation. His Excellency President Robert Mugabe is set to officially commission the plant in October this year if everything goes according to plan.”
He said the plant is expected to boost revenue inflows for the parastatal which is struggling to timeously pay farmers who deliver grain to its depots. The plant which produces stock feed for cattle, poultry, pigs, goats and dogs is expected to ease supply bottlenecks in the market. GMB, which is tasked with keeping the country grain reserves, has 84 depots across the country were farmers sell their grain. The annual agricultural show which opened on Monday and is ending on 29 August, will be officially opened today by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi. It is running under the theme ‘‘Enhancing Agricultural Productivity and Managing Climate Change.’’ — New Ziana
Online Reporter
Blessing Chizhande