Story by Fungai Jachi
ZIMBABWE is poised for increased sugar production this year, with more than 3.7 million tonnes of sugarcane expected to be processed in the Lowveld, while sugar output is projected to rise to 450 000 tonnes.
Harvesting operations are now in full swing across the Lowveld, with the once green sugarcane fields gradually giving way to burnt cane and cleared land as farmers deliver crops for milling at Hippo Valley and Triangle mills.
Farmers and transport operators have welcomed the introduction of a new digital cane delivery platform, saying it has improved efficiency and reduced losses during the harvesting season.
“We started harvesting in earnest, and so far we are happy because the system we are using ensures that we do not incur losses, and it is faster as we deliver cane on time,” a farmer said.
Another farmer said the technology has improved coordination of harvesting schedules and deliveries.
“Technology has indeed helped us because we are no longer harvesting at the same time like before. The system tells us when to harvest and deliver cane. We are now guaranteed zero losses, unlike before when there was chaos,” the farmer said.
Drivers transporting sugarcane also praised the system for reducing delays that previously saw trucks spending days in queues waiting to offload.
“As drivers, it used to be difficult because at times we would wait for days to deliver cane due to long queues, but with this system we are no longer waiting for long,” one driver said.
Another added: “You can now deliver as many loads as possible per day because we no longer spend days in queues like in previous seasons.”
The introduction of the Cane Logistics and Orchestration Platform (CLOP), also known as the Cane Planning System, is expected to resolve longstanding logistical challenges within the sugar industry.
Head of Corporate and Industry Affairs at Tongaat Hulett, Dr Dahlia Garwe said the digital platform coordinates harvesting and delivery schedules with milling capacity.
“This year, we introduced a digital electronic cane delivery system, which we believe will largely resolve challenges faced in the past. The Cane Logistics and Orchestration Platform is a digital scheduling and site control platform that coordinates cane harvesting and delivery timing with real mill capacity. It determines who delivers, when they deliver, and how deliveries are validated at the gate, ensuring that cane arrives when it can be processed,” she said.
At both Hippo Valley and Triangle mills, crushing operations are now running around the clock as the 2026 sugarcane milling season gathers momentum.
The increased production is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s sugar industry while contributing to export earnings, industrial growth and employment creation in the Lowveld.
