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From George Maponga in Masvingo
Zimbabwe Bio-Energy has announced plans to set up the country’s third ethanol plant at Nuanetsi Ranch in Mwenezi, where the firm wants thousands of locals to start sugarcane plantations using water from Tokwe-Mukosi Dam. Tokwe-Mukosi will be Zimbabwe’s largest inland dam when completed in August this year, with capacity to irrigate over 25 000 hectares.

ZBE, a joint venture between the Development Trust of Zimbabwe and a group of private investors, says opening an ethanol plant in Nuanetsi would create over 5 000 direct jobs.

At least 2 000 small-scale sugarcane farmers in the area would benefit by supplying their crop to the ethanol plant.
DTZ resident director for Nuanetsi, Mr Charles Madonko, on Thursday said 2 500 families relocated to the area from the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam basin in Chivi could also become out-growers for the ethanol plant.

“Consultations over the proposed ethanol plant at Nuanetsi are currently on-going with relevant Government structures and we have managed to identify investors who are upbeat about moving in to start an ethanol plant.

“The ethanol plant was initially earmarked for Masvingo before the one in Chisumbanje was opened . . . With the impending completion of Tokwe-Mukosi, there is now scope for an ethanol plant at Nuanetsi,” he said.

Mr Madonko said ZBE was encouraged by a recent call by Vice President Joice Mujuru for local companies to consider investing in ethanol production at Nuanetsi taking advantage of Tokwe-Mukosi Dam.

During her tour of Chingwizi holding camp in Nuanetsi over a week ago, Vice President Mujuru challenged the Masvingo political leadership to start exploring the possibility of using Tokwe-Mukosi water to produce eco-friendly energy.

Mr Madonko, however, appealed to Government to ensure orderly resettlement in Nuanetsi.