CHIREDZI- Tongaat Hulett, the sole sugar producing company in Zimbabwe, is slowly tapping into maize production, as evidenced by the corporate entity’s ability to produce 10 000 metric tons of maize, as well as committing 750 hectares of sorghum, which is still at flowering stage.
BY PATRICK CHITONGO
The staple food so far produced, mitigates about 40 % of food deficit in Chiredzi district where the company is domiciled. According to the department of AGRITEX, Chiredzi district needs 1500 metric tons of maize per month for human consumption.
On the sidelines of his tour of Tongaat maize fields in Hippo Valley Estates Today (Friday), the Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Anxious Masuka applauded efforts being made by the company to complement Government efforts on food security in the country.
In the same vein, the Minister promised to help on the bottlenecks that the company may face during the production course. These include mechanising the harvesting system.
The Minister then gave an order for the delivery of a Combine Harvester through his Ministry that is expected to arrive at Hippo Valley by Monday next week. (According to the Minister’s Order).
“I am so pleased with the work you (Tongaat Hulett) are doing here to have food security in the country. As a Ministry, we now have a bearing to see how we can help such companies” the Minister said.
The current crop is being harvested by hands as the company does not have any machinery for bulk maize production and harvest. The company also improvised on storage, in the process, adopting the traditional pole granaries and a Drier at Cotton Gin in Triangle.
Tongaat has been farming maize for some years now, partnered with Masvingo Development Trust (MDT) being headed by the newly appointed Chiredzi Rural District Council CEO, Ailes Baloyi, who is also the former Vice Chairperson for Masvingo Province (ZANU pf) in maize production for the Province.
There are so many questions than answers on how the maize is used upon delivery to MDT by Tongaat. Last year, MDT reported that over half of the maize they produced was stolen by nearby villagers in Triangle, while thieves were also pointed for the massive loss. This is despite the fact that a private security company was contracted to guard the crops.
On the partnership deal, MDT provides inputs while Tongaat plant and harvest the crop before handing over the produce to MDT on a cost recovery basis.
