Energy - GRZ Considers Setting up Biofuel Project

LUSAKA - Government is considering setting up a multi-million Kwacha biofuel cultivation project with a Canadian company - Bedford Biofuel.

Bedford Biofuel of Canada has declared interest in investing in jathropa cultivation in Zambia, a project which Government hopes will bring in foreign exchange and make Zambia an exporter of biofuel.

Speaking during a meeting with Mr Mutati in Lusaka yesterday, Bedford president and chief executive officer, David Mcclure, said if land was provided, the company would immediately go into cultivation and create jobs for thousands of people.

“If we get land in the next six months, we will plant faster than anyone else. If we plant on 150,000 hectares of land, we will give jobs to everyone in need,” Mr Mcclure said.

He said theirs is a consortium of business partners and if given land in Zambia, Bedford Biofuels will bring in other partners that will be interested in the long-term benefit of the project.

Mr Mcclure said once they start harvesting, Bedford Biofuels is capable of producing a million litres of diesel in a day. He said the project would not only create employment, but food security too, as jathropa fields are suitable for animal rearing.

Mr Mutati was hopeful that if given a go-ahead, Bedford Fuels would be able to implement the project with the speed they have articulated. The minister expects the project to create jobs, conserve foreign exchange and make Zambia an exporter of fuel.

Bedford Biofuels is asking for 100,000 hectares of land, but the minister said once identified, the community or traditional rulers would retain ownership of the land.

The investor would only use the land for cultivation purposes.