Government has secured land in Kapara area of Chipata District for a tobacco processing plant.
Eastern Province Minister Makebi Zulu has confirmed the development.
Mr Zulu says that securing of processing equipment from China is in process to ensure that there is value addition to tobacco being produced in the region which will also create jobs.
Mr Zulu says that government through TBZ, Tobacco Board of Zambia is making an attempt to ensure collaboration with neighbouring countries on both market and breeding research.
He says a team is next week leaving for Zimbabwe and Malawi to learn how their colleagues are getting the new buyers to beef up the shrinking buying sector.
The minister says this will replenish the depleted market following the exit of some tobacco companies like Alliance One.
He explained that a floor is only economical if it handles tobacco volumes of close to one million kilogrammes.