Zambia Daily Mail Article: NatSave invests K16m in bunjimi loans

KABANDA CHULU, Lusaka

NATIONAL Savings and Credit Bank (NatSave) managing director Cephas Chabu says the bank has so far invested K16 million into the Bunjimi asset plus loan product that is undertaken to mechanise smallholder farmers.

In an interview at the ongoing 90th Zambia the Show, Mr Chabu said over 300 farmers countrywide have benefitted from the product that was launched last year in conjunction with the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU).

“This is a loan for every farmer. It is getting bigger and better, and the response is overwhelming. NatSave is financing the buying of agriculture equipment at affordable rates so that we contribute to the mechanisation of our smallholder farmers who have land but cannot increase production.”

“We have partnered with AFGRI, Saro, Camco, Hazida and others to supply tractors, planters, weeders, rippers, ploughs and related equipment. The farmers are also assured of after-sales services on this equipment,” he said.

He said the theme of the show. Managing environment for growth, is in line with some of the bank’s objectives.

“It helps us focus on a number of solutions tailored to our customers. For example, we are working with Muhanya Solar to finance and supply environmentally friendly equipment to enable people light their homes, irrigate their farms and other renewable energy strategies. We have also gone paperless, as a bank. We are able to send sms alert on mobile phones or emails on every transaction, so there is no need to write on paper and this way we are contributing to energy efficiency and sustainable way of managing the environment,” Mr Chabu said.