Staff Reporter
Government has announced plans to dismantle the long-standing monopoly held by Tongaat Hulett in the Chiredzi sugar industry in a significant development for the agricultural sector.
This strategic move is aimed at enhancing competition and ensuring fair market conditions, heralding a new era of opportunities and benefits for local sugar cane farmers.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira revealed the plans during the recently held Masvingo Business Expo.
"For too long, Tongaat Hulett has monopolized our sugar industry, manipulating market conditions and prioritizing its interests at the expense of our farmers. With the introduction of a new sugar mill, we are decentralizing the power within the industry, ensuring that our farmers have viable alternatives that can lead to better prices and services," Minister Chadzamira stated.
The announcement has been met with widespread approval from the agricultural community, particularly sugar cane farmers who have long awaited such changes.
Miriam Mbato, a local farmer, expressed her enthusiasm, noting, "This initiative by the Government to set up another mill in Chiredzi will break the monopoly, providing us with multiple processing options. It’s a game-changer that promises improved efficiency and profitability for our farming activities."
Echoing her sentiment, another farmer Gilbert Nyazvidzi highlighted the overdue need for Government intervention.
"Just as the Government supports staple crops like maize and wheat, it's imperative that it also steps in to support sugarcane production. This will stabilize our operations and ensure sustainability," Nyazvidzi explained.
Another farmer, Hilda Godzongi, spoke about the current challenges under the existing monopoly.
"We face sabotage and delays in milling at the hands of Tongaat, which diminishes the value of our sugar cane. A third mill would mitigate these issues significantly by reducing wait times and preventing depreciation of our crops,” said Godzongi.
The proposed mill is not just seen as a solution to operational inefficiencies but it also represents a potential boost to the national economy.
With over 1 200 indigenous commercial sugar cane farmers in the Lowveld, the current two mills, Hippo Valley and Triangle, are inadequate to handle the volume, resulting in significant delays and compromised product quality.
The introduction of a third mill promises to alleviate these bottlenecks, fostering a more dynamic and equitable sugar industry.
