HARARE, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Sugarcane farmers in Zimbabwe have started harvesting the crop although a bit late compared to last year because of heavy rains in the 2016/17 cropping season.
Commercial Sugarcane Producers Association of Zimbabwe chairperson Tawanda Mafurutu said harvesting was in full swing and was expected to run until December, state run media New Ziana reported Monday.
Before harvesting, sugarcane should be left for a certain period known as dry off to reduce the amount of moisture in the crop for the milling process to go on well.
"Sugarcane harvesting has started and prospects for better yields than last year are high," Mafurutu said.
Sugarcane is grown commercially in the south eastern parts of Zimbabwe which include Chisumbanje, Nyanyadzi and Chiredzi. About 50 percent of the country's sugar is exported to regional and international markets. Enditem
