By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
President Mnangangwa on Thursday commissioned three investment projects worth US$70 million at Delta Beverages.
The three investment projects are the soft drinks PET line at Coke Corner in Graniteside, which enables the company to improve the supply of convenience packs and regain market share.
The new Southerton Chibuku Super factory which will address availability of the flagship traditional beer brands and at Southerton, where President Mnangagwa commissioned a high-tech lager beer packaging line to enable customer chose on brand and packs which were currently constrained.
Speaking at the event, President Mnangagwa hailed Delta Corporation for investing in the economy.
“I was pleased to hear that the company has, since 2017, invested more than US$169million in modernizing its manufacturing and bottling plants, distribution fleet, cold drink equipment and ancillary systems.
“This investment by Delta Corporation, which has been operating in the country for 125 years, demonstrates the confidence by players in the manufacturing industry in the business-friendly policies being ushered in by the Second Republic,” he said.
He said the projects should see Delta Beverages increasing its capacity utilization and guaranteeing supply to its customers.
President Mnangagwa said he hoped that Delta Beverages would continue increasing investments in such highly competitive soft drink and beverages sectors.
“The Second Republic values this and Delta’s relationship with farmers in their supply chain, who provide feedstock for their production processes.
“I urge you to continue integrating marginalized communities in your value chain through your out-grower programme.
“Furthermore, you should continue to complement government efforts in enhancing production and productivity in the agriculture sector by increasing your contract farming arrangements with local farmers,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said it was pleasing to note that Delta Beverages provided farmers with inputs, extension services and, in deserving cases, capital expenditure funding, with a focus to improve yields, uniformity of varieties and good agronomic practices.
“You should not only concentrate on your feedstock but extend your contract farming arrangements to also cover maize, which ensures that the contracted farmers remain productive throughout the year,” he said.
He said he hoped that more companies in the productive sector would adopt contracting model to complement the various government farming programmes currently in place.
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