Mon, 22 May 2017 13:25:35 +0000 By BUUMBA CHIMBULU A US$80 million green leaf threshing and primary processing plant is expected to empower tobacco farmers through an out-grower scheme once the construction is completed. The plant is being undertaken by Roland Imperial Tobacco Company Limited (RITCO). RITCO is investing US$80 million to establish an industrial park in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (LS-MFEZ) which will accommodate the processing plant. The plant is expected to create over 2,000 jobs across the tobacco supply chain from tobacco farming, through to tobacco processing, cigarette manufacture, distribution and retail. The company has since inception invested US$20 million at its Makeni factory in Lusaka and is currently operating two cigarette production lines with a third one awaiting delivery to the factory. RITCO general manager (manufacturing division), Aliport Ngoma, said the company, which was set to commence construction of the plant before the end of this year, was planning to […]
