Stockfeeds plant being built in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's Grain Marketing Board needs at least US$120 million to complete its stockfeeds manufacturing plant in Norton,on the outskirts of capital Harare, an official has said.

Public relations officer Joseph Katate said the parastatal was hoping to complete the project this year if funds became available. "Once it starts operating, the stockfeeds plant is set to enhance the viability of livestock production against a background of a challenging economic environment," he said.

Through the project, Katate said the GMB aims to provide stockfeeds at competitive prices and minimise shortages of the commodities. Once operational, some farmers would obtain stockfeeds from the GMB on a contract grower basis, he said.

"The superstructure that has so far used US$80 million will manufacture at least 240 tonnes of various types of feeds, including mash, pellets and crumbles per day," said Katate. He also said that the location of the stockfeeds plant was ideal as the GMB Norton depot had adequate space for future expansion and also had good proximity to raw materials.

GMB started diversifying and commercialising its operations with a milling project, which saw the emergency of Silo products on the market, which have gained more than a 50 percent share of the food market.

Herald