THE truth is there are feasibility appraisals being done on Zambeef’s Chiawa Farm, says Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri.
Last month, government disclosed that it had purchased Zambeef’s Chiawa Estate Farm in Kafue District at $13.5 million and handed it over to the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS) for its management.
ZANIS reported that this came to light when ZCS Commissioner General Fredrick Chilukutu and ZNS Commander Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi toured Chiawa farms in Kafue.
This move was however heavily criticised by a number of stakeholders who questioned government’s decision to spend such a huge amount of money on the said farm.
In the same month, Executive for Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Ezekiel Sekele told News Diggers that his firm would inform the market, through the correct channels, should the sale of its Chiawa Farm be concluded.
Asked if government would go ahead and buy the Chiawa farm in an interview, Monday, Mtolo said some feasibility studies were being undertaken.
“I am happy you have brought this issue up. The truth is there are feasibility appraisals being done to see if that is something which you can look at. You know, we had that misinformation, very strong misinformation [that] government has paid what. Some people [were] even peddling figures which was completely untrue. That’s why you saw a little bit of quietness from government. We allowed the spokesperson to talk about it, a few people to talk about it because you can’t be responding to every wrong thing that comes out deliberately trying to misinform. Because in the process, you could actually be validating the lies which are being peddled and that Chiawa thing is a very good example. How I wished instead of you asking me that question, you go to them and say but the government denied and can you show proof that they bought. That’s what we should be doing,” he said.
“I am not trying to put those colleagues in a corner, but there was so much strength and like it’s a verified position when in fact not. You are the scribes, you are the people who carry the pictures, let me ask you, is there any proof that government paid for that farm? I have here [a] feasibility report on those things done by them, but our people; once there is interest, our people should be looking at it. You know, it had an angle which people found very sweet that this one is connected there, therefore, ahhh, please there was nothing like that”.
Further asked why government was considering to purchase Chiawa farm instead of developing its already existing farm blocks, Mtolo said because it was highly developed.
“Okay, you know what I would ask you to do Philip? Go to see that farm. I have been there, go to see that farm, go to see it. It is highly developed; it has areas where centre pivots are running. You know, you have to level the ground for that thing to go round. It has water being drawn from the Kafue, being drawn from the Zambezi, pumps already in the system. It has infrastructure, there is storage capacity there. It has equipment which is working: combined harvesters, tractors etc. It is a going concern, it’s running. Are you aware that a couple of seed companies have grown their seed there because of the weather? The weather there is ideal for winter maize because maize requires high levels of temperature for it to mature and grow properly, Chiawa offers that. Now, the question you are saying is ‘why would you want to get this and not develop your own,’ that is a good question which can be looked at,” said Mtolo.
“But maybe, if someone is already selling this developed piece and you have an option of starting your own and you look at the costs, if this thing can give you the same value as that and the costs are probably relatively the same, what you should look at for the farm is the infrastructure that is there. The best thing to do Philip is to go there, go and see the farm. I have seen it with my own eyes, go and see what is there. Let me ask you a question; do you know how many centre pivots are there? Do you know how many tractors are there? Do you know how many combined harvesters are there? Do you know what storage facility is there? Those are things you would want to look at. I would encourage you, you come from a reputable institution, get a vehicle from the office, drive there and go and see and then write. Come and ask me those questions after you have seen. That is what I would encourage you to do and then look at the cost”.