Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has set up a US$40 million sugarcane project in Chiredzi.
The initiative notably known as the Kilimanjaro Sugar Cane project is a venture which comprises, the government, local financial institutions and Tongaat Huletts.
The Kilimanjaro sugarcane project will see 4 000 hectares of virgin land being turned into massive sugar plantations for allocation to indigenous farmers on a cost recovery basis.
The project is expected to be completed by November 2020 and produce 50 000 tonnes of sugar per annum as well as creating 2 000 jobs.
Speaking yesterday at the official opening of the project Mnangagwa said, “this project will result in a massive production of sugar. The project will have a massive impact on the economy and it resonates with our vision of job creation.
The provision of water, education and health services will go a long way in promoting the lives of the locals. We must create an economic environment where rights are obeyed and recognized to get investments. Our ongoing reform efforts have resulted in our country moving 15 places up in the recent global ease of doing business rankings.”
Tongaat Hulett Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gavin Hudson said they remained committed in supporting inclusive growth in the country’s economy.
“We will continue to manage the project on behalf of the farmers until they start reaping benefits. 400 of the 3 362 hectares have already been planted under the project. As Tongaat Hulett, we, and government, assure beneficiaries that we will identify land for further development,” reiterated Hudson.
The project was first tabled by the late Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe in 2013 after local chiefs, Gudo, Sengwe and Tshovani, proposed the idea to him in 2012.
Comments
About Author
