Zimbabwe set to lose $20 million

Tawanda Mangoma in CHIREDZI
Zimbabwe is set to lose $20 million in revenue to a raging dispute over the control of 4 000 hectares of sugarcane plantations between the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement and over 200 new farmers in Chiredzi. Expert and retired Tongaat Hullet Zimbabwe agriculture director Mr Farai Musikavanhu said most of the sugarcane under the disputed area was now due for harvesting and further delays would affect the crop’s sugar content.

He said it was better for the crop to be processed while discussions between the warring parties continued to minimise losses.

“Sugarcane has three sugars which are glucose, fructose and sucrose,” said Mr Musikavanhu.

“The sucrose sugar is the most important component in sugar making and if you delay to harvest, it is the very sugar which quickly disappears.

“What this means is that after delays in harvesting, the cane starts to develop side shoots and flowering, which in turn converts the sucrose sugar through a process called hydrolysis to glucose and fructose, which are not important if your major product is sugar.”

According to calculations based on Tongaat Hullet’s average yield of 83 tonnes per hectare recorded last year, the 4 000ha are supposed to yield 332 000 tonnes of cane. Sugar is selling at $571,65 per tonne, resulting in $20 876 658 before the inclusion of revenue generated from by-products such as molasses, ethanol and electricity.

Government, in 2016 allocated the 4 000ha to new farmers, but went on to withdraw the offer letters.

Two weeks ago, Lands and Rural Resettlement secretary Ms Grace Tsitsi Mutandiro advised farmers that Tongaat had agreed to harvest the crop and pay them compensation for the investment devoted towards the crop.

“Further to our communication in the above cited matter, we wish to advise that Tongaat Hullet has reverted to us on your query,” she wrote.

“They will harvest the cane on an average cost per tonne of $8,15 inclusive of haulage to the mills. Compensation to farmers will be based on categories highlighted to yourselves at our 25 July 2017 meeting.

“Tongaat has requested to be furnished with a list of all beneficiaries and the fields allocated to the farmers to facilitate payment and administration.”

The farmers, through secretary-general of the newly formed Lowveld Sugarcane Farmers of Zimbabwe Mr Ailess Baloyi, said they were not prepared to have their sugarcane harvested by Tongaat Hullet.

“We object to Tongaat harvesting, compensation and retrieval to our fields now and in the future,” he said.

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