The Sunday Mail
DAIRY foods processor Nestle Zimbabwe commissioned a US$8 million milk powder plant in Harare on Wednesday, increasing production capacity by over 50 percent.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha with Nestle South Cluster manager Mr Ben Ndiaye after commissioning the milk powders plant.Picture by Rumbidzai Nhaitayi
This brings the value of investments the company has made in Zimbabwe since 2011 to US$30 million.
The new plant has capacity to produce 1 500 kg of milk powders per hour and 1 600 kg of cremas per hour.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha said such investments showed growing confidence in the domestic market.
“Nestle has shown commitment to Zimbabwe despite the challenges we have faced as a country. While others have closed shop, Nestle has decided to stay and increase investment in the country, showing their confidence in Zimbabwe as a safe investment destination,” said Minister Bimha at the plant commissioning.
Nestle south cluster manager Mr Ben Ndiaye said the company can meet national demand, but volumes are low due to raw material shortages.
The south cluster comprises Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia.
Mr Ndiaye said the milk product manufacturer was running a programme to economically empower small scale dairy farmers and rebuild the dairy industry.
“For the last two years, 110 small scale farmers have been trained by Nestle agricultural services in animal nutrition, hygiene and maize silage making,” he said.
