By DELPHINE ZULU –
A DELEGATION of Chinese experts is in the country to conduct a feasibility study in Mbala District for the purpose of installing 20 solar-powered milling plants in the area.
The experts, who have been in the district for more than two weeks, have already been to Kaka Village to change the domestic machinery in Chief Mpande’s area in order to see if the domestic milling machine currently there could be replaced with a commercial one.
Beneficiaries in the area have identified three areas where the machines should be installed due to favourable rainfall patterns.
Out of the 20 solar-powered milling plants, eight sets had already been received in the district and would be installed once the experts complete their feasibility studies and make recommendations.
District Commissioner Kedrick Sikombe said five solar-powered milling plants would first be installed in the area to observe how they would operate before installing the remaining 15 in other areas.
He said Mbala was blessed with a good rainfall pattern and was one of the major producers of maize in the province which should not be expensive as is the case now.
Mr Sikombe said in an interview that three quarters of the maize was produced in Mbala and was bought by private millers in Lusaka and once processed, it was transported back and sold at an exorbitant price.
“As I am speaking now, about 20 solar milling plants would be installed here. Currently the Chinese have gone round our areas to check where they can put these milling plants, they are on site conducting studies,” Mr Sikombe said.
He said the community was impressed with the development as it would help reduce the high prices of mealie meal being imposed on the people of Mbala.
The DC said the coming of the milling plants would see most millers start buying the commodity from them, thereby bringing more revenue in the area and in turn help the rural areas to be developed as well.