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CHIREDZI – A Malawian delegation led by the country’s Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Geoffrey Mamba conducted a two day exchange program of the sugar industry in the Lowveld.The delegation included sugarcane farmers, different boards in the Malawian sugar industry, a delegation from Malawian Embassy in Zimbabwe and a delegation from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture.Mamba said he was thrilled particularly with the integration of sugarcane farmers and the research station.“We are thrilled particularly with the integration of sugarcane farmers and the research station, the research station is really supporting the farmer and we find it useful, back in Malawi we do not have a research station, it’s something which we wish to emulate,” he said.

The tour included a tour of the Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experiment Station ZSAES, out grower farms, Estate sugarcane farms and the Tongaat Hulett sugar mill. The visit follows a tour of the Malawi sugarcane industry by Zimbabwean farmers organised by ZSAES in September last year.Malawian Embassy representative, Counsellor Dr Hudson Makhwala applauded the use of cutting-edge techniques in sugar production.

He noted that Zimbabwean sugar players are embracing modern methods, making the industry a model for others to follow. “I find the use of technology in the Zimbabwe sugar industry exciting. Sugar players here are using drones for controlling pests, it’s something that we do not have in Malawi, even the machinery, most farmers here have their own machinery compared to Malawi,” he said. ZSAES Director, Audrey Mabveni said these interactions and exchange of ideas between sugar players from different countries are a vital cog in improving sugarcane production.Malawian sugarcane farmer, Dan Chibwana who is a member of Chitiba Cane Growers Association said that Zimbabwean sugarcane farmers are empowered and they have bigger farms and irrigation services.