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Victor Maphosa recently in Mutoko
PRODUCTION of biodiesel is set to make a phenomenal growth to 75 000 litres per day from 3 000 litres after the Mutoko-based manufacturing firm upgraded its processing plant, a development that gives impetus to the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa’s rural industrialisation and modernisation drive.
Located on the north-western fringes of Mutoko Centre, Finealt Engineering is a State-aided agency under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development has been producing about 3 000 litres per day from processing jatropha seed.
However, after the upgrading and expansion process, the plant will produce more than 75 000 litres per day demonstrating President Mnangagwa’s administration’s commitment to rural industrialisation and the power of education and training under the Education 5.0 model.
Biodiesel is used as a sustainable replacement for petroleum diesel in various applications, including powering vehicles like cars, trucks, and buses, as well as heavy-duty equipment for construction, agriculture, mining, and marine vessels.
The completion of the plant, spawn industrialisation and modernisation to the rural area, create local jobs as well as providing a secure market for local farmers on their doorstep.
Additionally, biodiesel functions as a powerful and non-toxic solvent for cleaning greasy engines and tools and can even be used as a lubricant additive to reduce friction in diesel engines.
The successful production of biodiesel in Zimbabwe means the country can significantly reduce refined liquid fuel imports.
In an interview, Finealt Engineering acting chief executive officer Mr Patrick Mpala said all the equipment for the massive production of biodiesel has been installed and ready for production.
“The equipment is there, installed and ready to go. What is now left is for the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority to upgrade their power supply system so that it can power our upgraded system. The power that we get is not enough for or intended production and we are currently in talks with the power utility to give us enough power,” he said.
“Once that is done, production begins. We’ll continue to use jatropha seed for biodiesel production. We buy it from locals. However, plans are at an advanced stage for us to grow jatropha in Mudzi at a 3 000 ha piece of land. The land can also be expanded to 6 000 ha. We are set to produce it for ourselves. However, we will still continue to buy from our local people. As an organisation, we are ready to drive Rural Industrialisation as expounded by President Mnangagwa. We are already making rural development a reality.”
Besides production of bio-diesel, there is also significant production of bio-economy products like cooking oil, soaps and detergents at the site.
“Initially, we have been producing biodiesel only here. Come new dispensation, we then expanded and started the manufacturing of bio-economy products. So, we started cooking oil manufacturing. We realised that a lot of farmers particularly in the Makaha area, in Mudzi district, were into sunflower production. So we had to buy some sunflower seed from them and we process that into cooking oil,” he said.
“We are also contracting farmers for sunflower production and the programme is bearing fruits. As we speak, we process about 20 tons of sunflower seed and produce more than 5000 litres of cooking oil per day and we want to do more. I am pleased to say our cooking oil is already available on the market and it has been accepted by the people. We supply it to shops here in Mutoko, Marondera and Bindura.”
Mr Mpala said they also upgraded the soap manufacturing plant to maximise production and meet local market demand.
“Recently, about three days ago, we completed installation of a soap making plant which has a capacity of producing about 500 one-kilogramme bars of soap per hour. The machine is also capable of producing about 2 000 soap tablets per hour. We also make detergents like toilet cleaners, car cleaners and dish wash liquid,” he said.
“We are absolutely encouraged by the overwhelming support from the consumers, especially from the people of Mutoko. They are supportive and we are aiming to penetrate all the markets across the country,” he said.
Besides the Mutoko plant, they are also setting another plant in Chirumhanzu District in the Midlands province where cooking oil and stock feed will be produced on large quantities.
“We are also engaging a lot of farmers for the production of jatropha, sunflower as well groundnuts seed for the production of biodiesel as well as cooking oil and other products,” he said.
Mr Mpala said plans were also underway for the organisation to construct a solar plant near the site, which will come in handy once electricity is unavailable.
Biodiesel was first mooted in the early 2000s as a potential significant industry for Zimbabwe using jatropha oil seed, but little was done until Finealt Engineering took the concept seriously and started planning and construction at Mutoko.
Since coming into power, President Mnangagwa focused on having home gown solutions to most of the country’s challenges. The President’s thrust is to ensure Zimbabweans use most of the products manufactured locally than relying on imports.
Colletta Dube
Online Reporter