JAck Mwewa and Chatula KANGALI –
THE Zambia Forest and Forestry Industry Corporation(ZAFFICO) has urged Saw millers to acquire technology that will process eucalyptus trees into timber to reduce over dependence on Pine.
Company secretary Morgan Mukwasa said most saw millers depended on the Pine tree for the production of timber which is currently on high demand.
He said the demand for the eucalyptus tree was low because saw millers preferred to use the technology that process pine into timber.
Mr Mukwasa said this at the on-going Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola yesterday.
He said the corporation received more than 1000 applications from Saw millers this year, but only managed to supply the tree to about 900 because ZAFFICO was still offloading the commodity from the 450 cubic metres.
He, however, called for the establishment of plantations by private companies and individuals to supplement ZAFFICO and meet the growing demand for timber in Zambia.
Mr Mukwasa said ZAFFICO had remained a viable institution and that its expansion programme had created jobs for local people and added to the economic development of Zambia.
