ZAMBIA: Diocese Opens Milling Plant, Anticipates Increasing Economic Growth

By Yusufu Radio, Mpika

In a bid to help lower the cost of the staple food mealie meal in Zambia, the Catholic Diocese of Mpika has opened a Milling Plant in Mpika District.

Rt. Rev. Edwin Mulandu, the Bishop of Mpika, on Wednesday, 27th November 2025, blessed and officially commissioned the Mpika Diocese Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Milling Plant in the presence of the clergy, the religious, and members of the community.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Bishop Mulandu said the milling plant, which is set up in the diocesan premises, is expected to help mitigate mealie meal shortages and stabilise prices on the local market.

“According to our vision, this Milling plant will help the people of Muchinga province with cheaper and affordable mealie meals even when maize is in short supply. We plan to keep the price of mealie meals low. We want this Milling plant to help with food security here in Muchinga Province,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of the milling plant Bishop Mulandu noted that currently, people in his diocese are relying on mealie meals produced outside the Mpika therefore the milling plant will supplement the availability of the commodity.

The plant is expected to be producing 200 bags of mealie meal per day when there is a stable electricity supply.

Bishop Mulandu also announced plans to expand the plant and use an alternative source of power.

“The challenge we have is electricity supply, so production will depend on the availability of power,” the Bishop said

At the onset, the milling plant employed twelve members of staff and is expected to be producing 200 bags of mealie meal per day when there is a stable electricity supply in the area.