Ivayinerudo Magarazano
CHIREDZI- The chairperson of the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Growers Apex Board, Bernadette Tamba Chipembere (pictured) has reassured sugarcane farmers that the provisional liquidation application filed by Tongaat Hulett in South Africa will not impact the company’s local operations.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting at the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Development Association offices recently, Chipembere dispelled concerns raised by farmers on the likelihood of their operations being affected by the ongoing liquidation of Tongaat Hulett South Africa, stating that the they are actually preparing for the new milling season smoothly.
“Our farmer need not to be worried by the developments happening down south, they will not affect our operations, everything is under control. Tongaat Hulett Limited South Africa has no impact on farmers and we as out growers are busy preparing for the next milling season,” said Chipembere.
With the new season set to begin in late April farmers are hopeful for a good harvest with the heavy rains that have been witnessed this year.
However, there is a significant shortage of irrigation water within the out grower community, despite paying for allocations from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), farmers are receiving less water than they have paid for.
The situation is expected to worsen with the new 17 000 hectares land cleared upstream and an influx of new farmers joining the industry.
“With the new players in the industry, farmers upstream will benefit more, suffocating downstream farmers, there is a need for a way forward to minimize this water problem.” Said Chipembere.
