Greenbelt Authority (GBA) chief executive officer Eric Chidzungu says the construction and installation of machines at their rice milling and processing plant under the Nthola-Ilola Rice Irrigation scheme in Karonga will finish in June this year.

He said in an interview on Monday the completion of the K2 billion factory delayed due to challenges they faced in shipping equipment into the country and shortage of forex.

Said Chidzungu: “Progress of the milling plant is at 80 percent and we have given ourselves a target of up to June 30 this year. Initially, we were supposed to finish two months ago but we have had delays in shipping equipment and assembling locally available parts and pipes.

“Once completed, we expect farmers to benefit from the rice processing machine which has the capacity to mill 50 tonnes per day. We also expect to employ about 1 400 people, adding that more than 2 400 anchor and out-grower farmers are expected to benefit from the project.”

He appealed to potential financiers and an operator to run the plant as the GBA builds the capacity of water users association and cooperative members for smooth operation of the project.

In a separate interview, group village head Mwangolera said she was pleased with Chidzungu’s assurance that by June the project will be completed, saying community members were waiting with bated breath for employment.

She said: “When the project stalled few months ago, community members and farmers were worried.

“Now, I am pleased that there is hope that the project will be completed in June so that people get employment and at the same time, help farmers access rice milling services near.”

One of the farmers, Justina Mwangosi said the availability of the plant will enable farmers to add value to their rice production.

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