MANSA Trades Trading Institute yesterday commissioned its one hector banana plantation project as an innovation investment.
Technology and Science minister Felix Mutati graced the commissioning and was full of praise for Mansa Trades.
As the first-ever institution to establish a banana plantation project, the minister applauded their works and determination which have been made visible through their positive work executions.
“This is an institution that has been able to move from negative cash flow to a positive one in a short period of time through it’s in-house Innovations and investments, for its students are not just learning but equally producing and feeding themselves,” Mutati said.
The one hector banana plantation has 1,600 plants, whose produce is sold by the institution to generate its own revenue.
Among other investments at Mansa Trades are apparel and clothing, chicken rearing, piggery, cattle, sheep and goat bearing and vegetable farming.
Mutati called on all institutions countrywide to learn from what Mansa Trades was doing to sustain its economy and the country at large and not only depend on the government.
“Mansa Trades is a place for rebooting yourself; I call it a breath of hope,” he said.
“Your students are executing their works not by language but by performance, true evidence of determination and perseverance. How you are doing all these things principle, I don’t know, but keep doing it,” Mutati said.
Meanwhile, the institutions principal Chriscencious Mukupa thanked the government’s continued support through the hiked Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the National Technology Business Centre (NTBC), under the Ministry of Technology and Science.
The core objective of Mansa Trades is centred on practical training and financial mobilisation, and the institution’s student population is currently at 1,647.
The students are being trained in practical skills which are impactful to the national economy and the community.
“As an institution, we aim to be a leading engine that the country depends on to produce quality students to drive ahead the country’s economy in line with the government’s agenda,” said Mukupa.
Mansa Trades is using trainee resources and manpower to teach and make profits, through its produce and sales.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba April 15, 2023
