Austrian Ngo empowers Mpika youths

Austrian Ngo empowers Mpika youths

Mipika, 14 October, 2014, ZANIS… World Vision Austria has purchased a modern milling machine for Mpika Youth Empowerment Business Association at a cost of K50085.

World Vision Manager for Mpika, Billy Sichone  confirmed the development to ZANIS in Mpika yesterday when he received the milling machine at his office .

Dr Sichone disclosed that World Vision Austria has also sent K640.000 for the construction of a milling plant which has reached an advised stage.

Dr Sichone said his organization has been discussing with its counterpart in Austria over the target youth empowerment project which will in turn create jobs for them.

He explained that the milling machine had since arrived in the district and was awaiting the completion of the building adding that once installed the project will be handled over to the Mpika District Youth Empowerment Association .

And Chairperson for Mpika Youth Empowerment Business Association, Abel Kachikoti told ZANIS that the project is targeting 150 youths as direct beneficiaries.

Mr Kachikoti  added that the profit that will be realized from the mealie meal sales will be given to other youths as soft loans under the entrepreneurship programme.

Mr Kachikoti explained that the price of mealie meal will be cheaper compared to other brands since there will be no transport costs attached hence supplementing food security at household level.

He explained that the milling machine will be producing 600 by 25 kg bags of mealie meal per hour and the target provinces for their sale are Muchinga, Northern and Luapula.

He further explained that the milling plant will be buying maize from the upcoming youth peasant farmers who are members of the association and the maize bran that will be coming from breakfast mealie meal will be sold as chicken feed  within and outside the district.

Mr Kachikoti disclosed that the youth association has planned to procure a modern cooking oil making machine by 2016 as a way of encouraging farmers to diversify from only growing maize to sunflower and  groundnuts saying the project has an objective of integrating with farmers growing different crops in the province.

The milling plant is expected to be commissioned in December this year.