Zambia’s agricultural sector is undergoing a notable transformation following the official launch of a new cheese manufacturing facility by Zambeef Products PLC. Situated at Huntley Farm in Chisamba, the plant marks a significant investment in agro-processing and value addition—two critical areas in the country’s push toward economic diversification and rural development.
Commissioned by Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Peter Kapala, the facility is equipped to process up to 3.4 tonnes of locally sourced milk into premium-quality cheese each day. The development is being hailed as a major step toward reducing Zambia’s dependency on imported dairy products and building a more self-reliant, sustainable domestic dairy industry.
“This initiative not only enhances our food security but directly uplifts the lives of small-scale farmers across the country,” Minister Kapala said. “It is a demonstration of what value addition can achieve when the public and private sectors collaborate.”
A key outcome of the investment is the creation of a reliable and stable market for local dairy producers, particularly smallholder farmers who have long struggled with erratic demand and limited access to processors. The plant gives them renewed confidence to scale their operations, knowing their milk has a guaranteed buyer in Zambeef.
Beyond its agricultural impact, the cheese plant is a catalyst for job creation and economic activity in Chisamba and neighboring communities. Dozens of jobs have already been created in fields such as quality control, logistics, operations, and administration. As the plant ramps up production, more opportunities are expected, especially for young people and women in rural areas.
The ripple effects are also being felt in the broader economy. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) now have an opportunity to plug into the dairy value chain by offering complementary services such as feed supply, veterinary care, packaging, refrigeration, and transportation. This multiplier effect is expected to stimulate growth across multiple sectors.
Zambeef’s latest venture is in line with the government’s industrialization strategy, which emphasizes local content development and the transformation of Zambia from an exporter of raw materials into a manufacturing-based economy. The company’s continued investments in agro-processing reflect a long-term commitment to this national vision.
As Zambia embraces innovation and value addition in agriculture, the opening of the Chisamba cheese plant stands out as a tangible example of what strategic collaboration and investment can achieve. For farmers, workers, and consumers alike, it represents a promising new chapter in Zambia’s economic story.