President Mnangagwa Launches Mutare Teachers’ College Launches Fruit Juice and Water Processing Plant
Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa
Mutare
President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially commissioned the new Fruit Juice and Water Processing Plant at Mutare Teachers’ College on July 4th, 2024. This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant step towards the realization of Zimbabwe’s rural industrialization agenda and the “Heritage Based Education 5.0” philosophy.
“The plant we are commissioning today is a demonstration of what Zimbabweans can achieve when we put our hands and minds together,” President Mnangagwa declared, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation. “It dovetails with our rallying call and philosophy to nation-building: ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.’”
The plant, which boasts a capacity of 16,000 liters of fruit juice per 8-hour workday, will utilize locally sourced fruits like baobab, pineapple, banana, and guava, abundant in Manicaland Province. This initiative not only promises to create new revenue streams for the college but also contributes to the nutritional well-being of the community.
“This spirit should see an accelerated pace of finishing projects as well as increasing production, productivity and the overall competitiveness of our economy,” President Mnangagwa stated, highlighting the broader economic impact of this project.
The President also called for the expansion of production lines beyond fruit juice and bottled water to include high-value products like baobab powder, antioxidants, and oils for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. “Right from the outset, remain mindful of our drive to ‘move up the value chain’, in line with our country’s Industrialisation Policy and Local Content Strategy,” he urged the college.
The commissioning of this plant is a testament to the Second Republic’s commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets within higher education institutions. President Mnangagwa challenged other institutions to follow suit, accelerating the commercialization of products and services emanating from their innovation hubs. He envisioned a future where locally produced goods, like the fruit juices from Mutare Teachers’ College, would dominate the market and become synonymous with Zimbabwean quality.
“We must now see more of your products on our shop-shelves, across the country,” President Mnangagwa declared, emphasizing the importance of market penetration. “Products such as the fruit juices that will be produced here, must eventually overtake other imported brands in popularity.”
The launch of the Fruit Juice and Water Processing Plant at Mutare Teachers’ College is a significant step towards realizing the vision of a prosperous and self-reliant Zimbabwe, fueled by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to rural development.
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