KALEYA Small-holders Company Limited (Kascol) has invested more than US$1 million in the expansion and improvement of its irrigation project in Mazabuka in Southern Province.

Company chief executive officer Rama Varma said the upgrading process would result in the improvement of water supply and irrigation to the fields.

Mr Varma said the expansion would also increase the company's cane productions levels by 20,000 tonnes.

"We have just completed part of our expansion programme; Kascol has completed an area of 150 hectares under central pivot irrigation in 2012, the expansion will result in additional cane of 20,000 tonnes," he said.

He said the company was faced with the challenge of irrigation deficit and water conveyance problem as the fields where 25 kilometres away from the water source, the Kafue river.

Despite the challenges, he said, Kascol was currently working on another 100 hectares expansion which would be completed this year.

Mr Varma said that the expansion would help the firm to enhance the participation of more Zambian smallholders.