Chiredzi: Expensive input costs are likely to result in a decline in sugarcane output in Zimbabwe this season. The sugarcane production is projected to drop by 7.5 per cent to 1,118 million tonnes in Mkwasine, Hippo Valley and Triangle Limited. Last year the country had witnessed 1,208 tonnes of sugarcane output.
The forecast decline has been confirmed by Adelaide Chikunguru, the Tongaat Hulett Corporate Affairs and Communication Executive. “There are several reasons for the drop in sugarcane output. Interacting with farmers would provide the exact reason behind this,” she said.
“The sugar season was expected to end by December end but due to heavy rainfall it is expected that the season would extend further,” she further added.
Dennis Masomere, the Mkwasine Sugarcane Farmers Association Chairman said, “The delay in receiving inputs and herbicides resulted in the lowering sugarcane output. The delay in carrying cane from fields to mills through trains is also one of the reasons for a drop in cane output.”
