Chisumbanje hopes for a better future
Matsikenyere was at the Green Fuel Sugarcane Estates in Chisumbanje
plots to the small scale farmers from the neighbouring community.
Green Fuel has a robust and vibrant Corporate Social Responsibility program
community.
- Hope for a better future’ in recognition of the need to inspire hope in the community of Chisumbanje and the surrounding villages.
which have been constructed around the principle of sustainable development through irrigation farming, entrepreneurial projects, education and social service infrastructure rehabilitation.
Chisumbanje and Chinyamukwakwa are the hall mark of this program and provide small scale farmers with access to irrigation farming year-round. At the inception of the ethanol project, the company made
all land under sugarcane in Chisumbanje for the community and thus far, they have honoured this.
oped for the community in Chisumbanje and Chinyamukwakwa, at a cost of over scale farmers, ensuring consistent availability of water in an area that receives little annual rainfall, making the Green Fuel supported irrigation scheme the biggest in the country.
company’s cost and, as a result, each farmer can produce up to three cash crops per
extension services to the farmers as well as tillage services depending on availability of equipment.
Irrigation Scheme program.
of
farmers, all of whom are now out-growers for the company and, as such, receive consistent support and assistance.
In Zimbabwe, the energy and agriculture sectors continue to have a powerful
for this reason, it is imperative that staketransform
the economy and the country.
and Agricultural and Rural Development Authority ( ) Joint Venture to support this community’s socio-economic transformation agenda is therefore a welcome one. Chipinge South is under natural Region
equate rainfall with the recent farming season being characterised by low rainfall,
gation schemes will promote economic development, agricultural production and food security and represent a timely intervention from Green Fuel and .
In addition to the irrigation schemes,
on entrepreneurial and educational projects to ensure that the community impact is evident in the long term. Entrepreneurial projects include:
◆ Mana Creative Fashions — a sewing workshop which is run by a group from the local community, producing work suits and uniforms for the company and the surrounding schools; ◆A library and technology centre — opened in partnership with Old Mutual to provide the local students and community members with computer lessons and access to the internet and books;
◆ Community run kitchens — which feed the staff in the factory and throughout the two sugarcane estates; ◆ reusable sanitary pads for girls in the local schools
◆ Blessed honey-makers
a bee-keepladies
from the community;
◆ run by a group from the community, making fencing from used tyres; Educational projects include: ◆ Ramangwana Rakajeka Bursery Prowhereby
the company sponsors school fees and stationery and supplies for
immediate community. Green Fuel employees then volunteer to mentor these students and encourage them to remain in school.
◆ Happy readers Green Fuel has recently implemented the Happy Readers Literacy Program in three of its neighbouring primary schools in an attempt to improve the deteriorating literacy rates in young school chilReaders
Learn-to-Read books and teachers’ resources, as well as teacher training and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
◆ Science laboratory — Green Fuel is
science laboratory at one of the local high schools in order to increase stuthe
Chisumbanje, Chinyamukwakwa and Checheche areas and will provide invaluable access to further education for local pupils. Community Centred projects include ◆ Rehabilitation of local roads and continuous road safety campaigns and support;
◆ Access to water through the drilling of boreholes and installation of solar pumps; ◆ Reforestation of the area through the Company’s extensive Tree Nursery; and
◆ Healthcare support through assisting
the local clinics and hospitals
◆
awareness programs
With plans to grow its portfolio as the company expands, Green Fuel continues to lead the way in facilitating sustainable development through its Corporate Social Responsibility program and sets a high standard for community engagement and development through .
Green Fuel’s vision is to become Africa’s leading supplier of a dependable source of high quality, competitively priced ethanol; empowering local communities, increasing energy security and lessening dependence on fossil fuels.