THE Industry and Commerce ministry plans to set up a new sugar mill at Mkwasine Estates in Chiredzi to benefit more than 500 A2 sugarcane farmers.
For years, Mkwasine farmers have struggled with costly and inefficient logistics, transporting their harvested cane approximately 70km to the nearest processing facilities at Triangle and Hippo Valley Estates.
The high rail tranport cost severely erode profits and render operations unsustainable.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution secretary Addmore Pazvakavambwa said the establishment of the sugar mill would help to cut costs, reduce crop deterioration and boost incomes for local growers.
“...the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has already tendered for the project,” he said.
“The new sugar mill will reduce transportation costs for farmers in the Mkwasine area while also bringing the much-needed competition between millers.”
Currently, Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe holds a significant share in the sugar milling industry, with the country’s two mills located at Triangle and Hippo Valley.
The establishment of a third mill will not only decentralise milling services, but also introduce competition in the sector, which benefits farmers through improved service, pricing and reduced farm-to-mill distance.
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Zimbabwe Sugarcane Development Association chairperson Elisha Tamirepi welcomed the development which cuts transport costs for farmers.
“Even the quality of our cane will improve, as currently, the cane deteriorates while waiting to be shipped for milling,” Tamirepi said.
Mkwasine farmers have endured perennial challenges such as erratic irrigation caused by insufficient water from Manjirenji Dam.
In addition, farmers face the threat of crop destruction by wild animals.
