Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
CABINET has approved the Zimbabwe Sugar Cane Industry Development Strategy that seeks to transform the country into a competitive and one of the biggest producers of sugar cane and its by-products like ethanol by 2035.
Sugar cane is vital in fuel blending.
The Zimbabwe Sugarcane Industry Development Strategy is expected to position the sector as a critical driver of rural industrialisation, energy generation and export growth, supporting the country’s vision of becoming an upper middle-income economy.
The ambitious plan targets to boost sugarcane yield from 81 metric tonnes / hectare to 110 mt/ha, increasing sugar production from 400 000 mt to 500 000 mt per annum and improving electricity generation from 23 megawatts to 200 megawatts by 2035.
In addition, the plan seeks to expand ethanol production from 155 million to 600 million litres annually and boost sugar exports from 100 000 metric tonnes to 200 000 mt.
Infrastructure modernisation, research and innovation, and stronger collaboration among Government, the private sector, development partners, academia, and local communities will be promoted to ensure the successful implementation of the strategy and the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry.
Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said besides expansion of the hectarage of sugarcane, the plan will also focus on diversification and value addition.
“The Zimbabwe Sugarcane Industry Development Plan (2026–2035) seeks to transform Zimbabwe into a globally competitive, climate-resilient and innovation-driven producer of sugarcane and sugarcane-based products by 2035,” he said.
The Plan is focused on diversification and value addition through expanded ethanol production, renewable energy generation, industrial by-products, bio-fertilisers, stock feeds, bio-plastics and other downstream industries derived from sugarcane by-products such as molasses and bagasse.
It envisages modernisation of the products in order to de-risk and guarantee viability of the industry, the Minister said.
“The objectives of the Plan also include infrastructure modernisation, increased productivity, renewable energy development, research and innovation and strengthened partnerships between Government, the private sector, development partners, academia and local communities.”
Minister Soda said that through coordinated investment and collaboration, the sugar industry is poised to become a key driver of sustainable economic transformation, job creation and green industrial development, contributing to the country’s long-term growth and prosperity.
The plan is anchored on seven pillars that are set to boost both sugarcane yield and hectarage.
The pillars are: Enabling Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Frameworks; Enhancing Productivity and Climate Resilience; Promoting Product Diversification; Market, Trade Development and Value Chain Diversification; Research, Technology and Innovation; Inclusive Growth and Smallholder Development: and Finance and Investment.
“The implementation of this strategy will significantly boost both sugarcane yield and hectarage through improved access to affordable finance, enhanced irrigation infrastructure and efficient regulatory support.
“More efficient production systems will lower unit costs, reduce average market prices and strengthen the industry’s competitiveness regionally and globally.
“Increased processing capacity is expected to result in expanded ethanol output and increased sugar exports, thereby ensuring sustained profitability across the value chains.”
