Business Correspondent

FACTEL Investment Group has announced that it will set a food processing plant in Chivi Growth Point in Chivi District as part of spreading business in rural areas.

The company director Mr William Ponela told a full council meeting held at Chivi Rural District Council recently that the business venture will see about 300 people from the district getting employment.

He said plans were afoot to introduce a food processing plant at the popular growth point which has also attracted banks and a number of retail outlets.

Factel Investment Group specialises in packaging agricultural produce for export and the products include mealie-meal, peanut butter among others.

“We are happy to be given a nod to operate in this district and we want to assure the residents that they are going to benefit in a great deal once the plant is fully operational.  Preparations to assembly the plant are already at an advanced stage that before or early next year the venture would be running.

“Apart from forging some business relationships with farmers, the establishment of the plant would see about 300 youth getting jobs and we will make it a point that they will come from the same district,” said Mr Ponela.

He said the company’s dream was to extend its wings throughout Masvingo Province so that farmers benefit.

“We endeavour to establish a plant in every district here. Our aim is to help local farmers who don’t have means to succeed in their farming businesses.

“We would provide contracts to farmers and under this arrangement, a farmer would receive inputs like seed and fertilisers from Factel Investment and we expect that particular farmer to supply his produce to us at competitive prices,” he said.

Chivi Rural District Council chief executive officer (CEO) Mr Tariro Matavire hailed the move taken by the company and challenged local farmers to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way.

“We want to thank the company and other investors who are willing to do business with us and hope local farmers will take advantage of the chances availed.

“Farmers will be contracted to supply agricultural produce thereby creating a ready market and as the project becomes established, the farmer can also work for the company to get some income,” Mr Matavire said.

The CEO promised the company land for the establishment of the food processing factory.

“As local authority, we assure you of land and that is the role we can play in our quest to support your initiative.

“We are fully behind investment in our districts and my fervent hope is that the project will take shape very soon and it will go a long way in arresting crime among our youth as they would be employed,” he said.