Govt to procure 241,000 tonnes of fertilizer, insists on empowering local producers, competitiveness

Government has opened tenders for the procurement of 240,760.50 metric tonnes of compound D and Urea fertilizer for the 2023/24 agricultural season.

The government is also expected to sign a contract with local suppliers of compound D fertilizer in the next four weeks.

Agriculture Minister Reuben Phiri Mtolo indicated that the total quantities being procured for the 2023/2024 agricultural season for the eight provinces was 240,760.50 metric tonnes in exclusion of Lusaka and Central provinces which will be on e-vouchers.

Mtolo explained that Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia will be contracted to supply 43,292.70 metric tonnes of compound D fertilizer.

He said the United Chemical Fertilizer Zambia will be contracted to supply 77,087.55 metric tonnes of compound D fertilizer.

Mtolo said the procurement of compound D will be done through direct biding so as to support the growth of local manufacturers.

“The decision to direct bid of the two local manufacturers is in line with the government policy to encourage and grow the manufacturing sector in Zambia,” he said.

Mtolo said the tenders have since been advertised for the supply, delivery, warehousing and distribution of 120,380.25 metric tonnes of Urea fertilizer for the 2023/2024 agricultural season.

He said this would be using two procurement methods such as open international bidding for Urea and direct bidding for compound D fertilizer .

Mtolo explained that both of the procurement methods are permitted under the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) Act.

He said the open biding would help government achieve a competitive pricing for urea fertilizer, which is not manufactured locally.

Mtolo said the government was expected to sign contracts with manufacturers of Urea in early May 2023.

“These timeline will give enough time to suppliers to deliver the fertilizer to various districts in good time before the commencement of the rain season,” he said.

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