Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is scheduled to commission the Finealt Bioeconomy Industrial Park in Mutoko today.
The initiative is expected to act as a catalyst for rural industrial growth, generate thousands of jobs and enhance local value addition and beneficiation, in line with the country’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
The commissioning represents an important milestone under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which highlights rural industrialisation, value addition and beneficiation as key drivers in transforming Zimbabwe from a primary commodity producer into a diversified, manufacturing-led and export-oriented economy.
Developed by Finealt Engineering, an organisation under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, the industrial park is an integrated manufacturing hub comprising a biodiesel plant, a cooking oil processing plant and a soap manufacturing facility.
During the next phase of the project, a stockfeed plant is also expected to be added.
Designed to take advantage of locally-available biological resources and agricultural by-products found mainly in Mashonaland East Province, the facility is expected to produce value-added products, while strengthening community participation in economic activities.
The project also directly supports the goals of NDS2, which states that: “During NDS2, Government will prioritise the transformation of the agricultural sector into a competitive, export-oriented and value-driven industry that anchors rural industrialisation and growth in trade”.
In a recent interview, Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education Professor Fanuel Tagwira said the industrial park reflects the practical implementation of Heritage-Based Education 5.0.
He explained that the approach is centred on making use of local resources, indigenous knowledge and innovation to spur industrial expansion and foster economic development.
“This is a very important project which answers to Heritage-Based Education 5.0. It also answers the call for rural industrialisation of our economy,” said Prof Tagwira.
“The first of its kind is being rolled out by the Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development using one of its entities called Finealt Engineering.
“Within the industrial park, we have a biodiesel plant, we have a cooking oil plant, we have a soap plant and we will later on have a stock feed plant.”
Prof Tagwira said they are trying to unlock value for the benefit of communities and create jobs.
At least 20 000 households in Mashonaland East are expected to be contracted to grow sunflowers, supplying raw materials for the plant.
In addition, the facility will employ workers to process the products, thereby creating a significant number of jobs.
