Minister of Agriculture, Reuben Mtolo, says the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) is set to increase fertilizer production from 70,000 to 432,000 metric tonnes annually.
This follows a 6.8 million United States dollars investment towards the fertilizer blending and granulating plant from the African Development Bank (AFDB) under the Zambia Emergency Food Production Facility -ZAEFPF.
Mr Mtolo says the new blending and granulating plant will strengthen food security, promote climate-resilient agriculture and stabilise fertilizer supply across the country.
He added that NCZ is positioning itself to tap into regional export markets between 2025 and 2030, boosting Zambia’s competitiveness in the fertiliser industry.
Mr Mtolo was speaking when he visited the newly installed blending and granulating plant at Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia in the company of visiting AFDB Vice President, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade in Kafue district.
He said with a total investment of US$6.8 million, the plant is testament to the government’s resolve to recapitalise NCZ and modernise its operations.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of Zambia’s economy, employing the majority of our people and feeding our families,” he said.
The Minister noted that the new NCZ Plant is a new chapter in Zambia’s agricultural and industrial journey.
He added that the facility will strengthen Zambia’s ability to feed the nation, empower farmers and position Zambia as a leader in fertilizer production in the region.
Mr Mtolo said the establishment of NCZ’s blending plant is a historic achievement which enables the company to produce customised fertilizer formulations based on specific soil and crop requirement of Zambian farmers.
And AfDB Vice President, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, said the facility will help mitigate global supply disruptions caused by the Russia–Ukraine conflict, supporting smallholder farmers with inputs and financing.
She said through the contribution of ZEFPF, NCZ has contributed to Zambia attaining self-sufficiency in local fertilizer production, and reduction on import reliance.
She explained that with the increased access to fertilizer, credit to farmers and matching funds for seed and fertilizer, Zambia produced over 3.7million metric tonnes of food in 2024/25, with a surplus above its national consumption level of 2.5 million.
Meanwhile, NCZ CEO Chanda Mongo noted that the plant will play a key role in achieving the government’s ambitious targets of producing 10 million tonnes of maize, 1 million tonnes of soybeans, and one million tonnes of wheat.
He said with 440,000 tonnes of production capacity, NCZ is ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with the government and farmers in making this vision a reality.
This is exactly what we want to see. Being a manufacturing hub for the region. The Euro Bonda that was purported to have bene given to NCZ would have made this a state of the Art., but we all know the story. Kudos to UPND
Stories. For four years nothing of this sort has ever been discussed. Why now? Election stories? Only fuuls would buy this scam. HH and UPND do not think of Zambians. They are about foreigners and what those foreigners want. Our minerals and gold. Other stuff is a worst of their time. The Lusaka Ndola road is for copper to move to South Africa. Nothing else about that road. Don’t get excited with UPND. They are scam artists. They will sell you umunsoli.