Power cuts and shortages force fertiliser firms to close

By Tererai Karimakwenda
27 August, 2007

The already ailing agricultural industry has taken a blow with the revelation by the state controlled media that 3 major fertiliser manufacturers have closed due to power cuts and a lack of raw materials. The Herald newspaper reported Monday that the Chemplex Corporation, which manages the 3 fertiliser firms, has not been able to operate since last month. The paper quoted Eben Makonese, chief executive of Chemplex, as saying: "We have sent people on forced leave and on half pay because of these operational challenges.”

The three companies, Dorowa Minerals, Iron Duke and Zimphos, are all vital to the production of fertiliser in Zimbabwe. According to The Herald, 600,000 tons of fertiliser are needed by Zimbabwean farmers every year, but only 160,000 tons have been produced so far.

The MDC shadow MP for Agriculture, Renson Gasela, said at this pace only half of the fertiliser needed will have been produced by the end of the year. “So regardless of how much rainfall the country gets this season, it will be disaster.”

With elections scheduled for March in Zimbabwe, Gasela said the ruling party will definitely take advantage of the hunger that will be gripping voters. He said elections and hunger “go hand-in-hand” for ZANU-PF. He explained that the government will buy a small quantity of food which will be carefully managed and given to party supporters only, and it will be used to buy votes.

Gasela explained that there is a “domino effect” in the country and everything has broken down. He said: “Even the most unpopular paper is in short supply. The Herald cannot be found in the town of Kwekwe because the government cannot afford to produce enough copies. There is no paper and there is no ink. I believe they only sell about 50 copies there per day.”