1,2m kg export cotton lint goes up in smoke

OVER 1,2 million kilogrammes of cotton lint destined for export estimated at US$2,5 million has been razed by fire at one of the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe Limited (Cottco) toll ginning sites in Chipinge.

The cause of the fire, which broke out in the early hours on Monday could not be established by the time of going to print yesterday.

Cottco managing director Mr Pious Manamike said the fire was detected by a truck driver near the ginnery before immediately alerting the security guards and management.

“Cottco wishes to advise its stakeholders that at one of its toll ginning sites at Checheche Growth point in Chipinge South, a fire broke out in the early hours of Monday.

“The fire was detected by a truck driver near the ginnery who immediately alerted the guards and management.
“Preliminary assessment indicates that the company has lost about 1 221 000 kg of cotton lint that was ready for export with an estimated value of US$2,5 million,” he said. A forklift was also lost in the inferno.

Mr Manamike said fire tenders from Green Fuel and Hippo Valley were called in to assist extinguish the fire.

“The firefighting operation was hampered by strong winds that were being experienced in the area at that time,” he said. Meanwhile, the Government has given a new lease of life to the cotton sector through initiatives such as the Presidential Input Scheme.

The scheme had helped in the resuscitation of the cotton industry, which is a major source of employment for the farming community.

In Zimbabwe, cotton is largely grown in areas such as Gokwe, Karoi, Guruve, Rushinga and Murehwa, among others.
Earnings from the white gold have grown from US$11 million in 2016 up to the current US$70 million and benefits have accrued along the value chain and around the cotton production system. – The Chronicle