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SEZA confident of sunflower seed resolution

Sunflower field
Sunflower field

SEZA is confident that ramping-up sunflower production in clusters will resolve the current shortage of sunflower seeds and enable local farmers to participate in processing sunflower seed and its by-products.

Since last year, the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) has been consulting with local farmers to encourage and assist them setting up clusters. According to SEZA CEO Lonely Mogara, the clusters will fill the gap and help satisfy the demand for sunflower seeds for investors setting up in local Special Economic Zones.

“Local farmers are set to benefit from the emergence of an international investor who will be producing cold-pressed natural sunflower cooking oil from sunflower seeds that will be mainly sourced from local farmers,” he said.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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