Feeding the nation in a sustainable manner

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has awarded Zambeef Products Plc with the 2015 Award for consistency in complying with Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.

The award recognises the company’s consistency in ensuring that projects or developments undertaken were preceded by the execution of an Environmental Impact Assessment in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Management Act, which addresses issues regarding environmental protection, pollution control and challenges arising from climate change, pollution from persistent organic pollutants and electronic waste.

“ZEMA’s recognition of Zambeef’s efforts towards sustainable operations is an indication that our vision is not misplaced and will definitely push us to do even more in the area and others such as occupational health, safety and food safety. Zambeef follows a sustainable business model whereby in pursuit of economic gain, environmental, ecological and social considerations are taken into account,” said Zambeef head of environment, health and safety Jones Kayawe.

Earlier this year the company introduced a ‘windrow cropping’ system that allows for the production of organic fertiliser from organic waste on the farm to be used in its cropping operations. The organic fertiliser will replace 50 percent of the synthetic fertilisers used on its Huntley farm in Chisamba, cutting costs but also preserving the integrity of the soil and improving fertility.

“Composting of the animal waste we have available is a natural solution that is both good for the environment and our bottom line,” said Zambeef’s abattoir and processing general manager Ryan Crause, who is in charge of ensuring this scheme is a success.

The ‘windrow composting’ involves piling organic waste in long rows in the field and regularly turning it to control temperature, add or remove moisture and, improve oxygen content.

Zambeef introduced treatment ponds at Huntley in 2013, protecting the environment by breaking down effluent for at least three months before discharge. The move was commended by ZEMA in recognition of the positive improvements towards sound environment management practices at the farm.

Zambeef has a unit dedicated to dealing with environmental compliance and improvements to the operations. The dedication has paid off with no penalty by the agency for any form of environmental violations in the preceding two years on Zambeef’s part.

The environmental accountability is extended to Zambeef’s other farms as well; the centre of Chiawa farm has been left undeveloped to allow for animal passage as it is an important corridor for game movement, and also to preserve the natural flora in the area . This is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to promoting biodiversity.

And the Zampalm plantation in Mpika is also being operated under the same mandate with waste material either further processed into other raw material for finished products or recycled for organic compost.

“We want to feed the nation in an environmentally sustainable way. As an agribusiness our production and yields are directly affected by our environment and it is only sound business to ensure it is not damaged,” said joint chief executive officer Francis Grogan.

The approach fits well with Zambeef’s in integrated business model which focuses on zero wastage and value addition along the supply chain and is in line with its commitment to excellence and leadership in promoting socially sound and sustainable development vertical integration model which seeks to operate with zero waste and focuses on value addition.

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About Zambeef Products Plc
Zambeef Products Plc is the largest integrated agribusinesses in Zambia.
The group is principally involved in the production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, milk, dairy products, eggs, stock feed and flour. The group also has large row cropping operations (principally maize, soya beans and wheat), with approximately 8,350 hectares of row crops under irrigation and 17,000 hectares of rain-fed/dry-land crops available for planting each year. The group is also in the process of rolling out its West Africa expansion in Nigeria and Ghana, as well as developing a palm project in Zambia.
It slaughters more than 80,000 beef cattle and 6 million chickens, and processes 8 million litres of milk per year. The company has 122 retail outlets throughout the country, along with three wholesale depots.
More information is available at www.zambeefplc.com.