Zambia Bureau of Standards approves Cargill fertilizer

Following detailed testing and review, the Zambia Bureau of Standards has confirmed the fertilizer distributed to cotton farmers in the Eastern Province by Cargill in the 2011/2012 growing season was correctly labelled and met the requirements of compound fertilisers in its class.

These findings will ensure more than 65,000 farmers that work with Cargill in Zambia will receive access to fertiliser for the 2014 growing season as part of Cargill’s programme to support cotton farmers and provide fertiliser and crop inputs from recognised suppliers.

“Farmers have seen an increase in yields of more than 30 per cent over the past three years in the region where our fertilisers and approaches were applied,” said Lezanne van Zyl, Cargill’s general manager in Zambia.

“We are committed to being a reliable partner and these remarkable results further validate our approach and commitment to empowering local farmers and contributing to the Zambian economy.”

Cargill is currently working with Zambian cotton farmers by connecting them to markets and providing training through its network of more than 1,600 Cargill Cotton Schools, as part of the Competitive African Cotton Initiative (COMPACI) and Cotton Made in Africa programme. 

The company is also working to increase the number of female farmers included in their training programmes and currently has more than 400 Cargill Cotton Women’s clubs in Zambia.

Through long term relationships with farmers, Cargill supports programmes that improve agricultural practices, provide essential financial and technical support, offer better access to crop inputs and help farmers increase their incomes.

Cargill has been active in Zambia since 2006 and today its operations include sourcing and ginning cotton, as well as grain and oilseeds origination and trading.

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 142,000 people in 65 countries.

Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to sharing its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business.