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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Lowveld sugar producer Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe has announced plans to develop 4 000 hectares of virgin land into sugar cane plantations to boost sucrose output, as the firm seeks to meet its installed milling capacity of 640 000 tonnes per annum.

The firm has been producing around 430 000 tonnes of sugar over the past few years, which is below the installed capacity of its twin mills at Hippo Valley and Triangle Estates in Chiredzi.

The new project, which is expected to cost around $40 million and dubbed “Kilimanjaro”, will see the sugar cane-producing firm inviting bids from land clearing firms to prepare the groundwork for the ambitious venture.

According to preliminary projections, work on the project is billed to start in January next year, with all works due for completion by March 2020 before sugar cane production starts six months later.

In a statement, Tongaat said it planned to increase sugar production tenfold, on the back of improved water supply after the commissioning of the 1,8 billion cubic metre Tugwi-Mukosi Dam in Chivi South.

“The company has determined that fair conditions now exist on the back of secure bulk to accelerate the implementation of the Kilimanjaro Project as advertised in 2014,” said the firm.

“Interested and qualifying practice parties are invited to tender for category works with key milestone activities being bush clearing and construction of irrigation infrastructure.”

Tongaat said the tender dossier would be availed to interested parties upon payment of tender fees.

“Contractors will be required to choose the categories and blocks they wish to work on in line with their capabilities,” said the firm. “Contractors are expected to supply and install pressurised irrigation system, 39 centre pivots on various blocks covering 780 hectares.

“There should also a design of semi-portable sprinkler systems covering 229 hectares.”

Tongaat, which runs Triangle and Hippo Valley sugar cane estates, employs at least 17 000 workers at peak and processes in excess of 4,8 million tonnes of sugarcane per year. The firm owns cane fields that straddle 29 000ha, while out-grower farmers own 17 000ha.

The firm has a plant with an installed factory capacity to produce up to 140 000 of refined white sugar and 4,1 million litres of stockfeed. Tongaat also owns 6 000 cattle under its ranching venture.