Zimbabwean agricultural commodity holder TSL to expand storage capacity

ZIMBABWE – TSL Limited, an integral and intelligent handler of all movement and commodities exchange in the Zimbabwe Agricultural Value Chain, has commenced construction of 9 000 square meters of additional warehousing space.

Through the unit, the company provides agricultural inputs (chemicals, fertilizers and packaging), a market exchange platform and end-to-end logistics solutions to producers and processors of agricultural commodities.

Construction of the additional warehouse comes after it completed a 10,000 square meter warehouse in Harare which was occupied in May 2021.

“Ongoing plans to expand and improve the group’s infrastructure are underway with construction anticipated to commence at one of the group’s strategically located warehouses.

“This is part of the group’s strategic initiatives to create fit-for-purpose, modern infrastructure that facilitates the movement of agriculture,” said Mr Anthony Mandiwanza, the group’s chairman.

Further increasing its involvement in the agriculture sector, TSL recently revealed it is set to assume full control in Agricor Limited, after getting the requisite approvals to tie up the deal.

The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed conglomerate already holds 67.5% shareholding in Agricor, whose interests span from retailing, agricultural inputs, logistics and hardware operations.

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The proposed takeover is in line with TSL’s strategy to become a regional powerhouse in the agricultural sector.

Meanwhile, in Eastern Africa the Ethiopian Agricultural Works Corporation is set to build a Birr 400 million (US$7.80m) integrated agricultural inputs and mechanization center in the 11^th region.

The center, to be built in Bonga town, will house a four-storey building and large warehouses.

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The construction of Bonga Integrated Agricultural Inputs and Mechanization Service Center is expected to make agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizers and chemicals available in the region as well as in neighbouring states.

Ethiopian Agricultural Works Corporation Communication Head, Gashaw Aicheluh, told The Reporter that one of the major issues to be considered for the construction of the Integrated Agricultural Input and Mechanization Service Center is the development of Tamashalo Best Seed Multiplication Farm, located 62 km from Bonga town.

The warehouses to be built at the center will not only provide the best seed collected from Tashashalo Agricultural Development, but also fertilizer and chemical inputs to the surrounding regions, zones and woredas.

According to the reports, it will have a total capacity of 120,000 quintals of seed. It is also known that one of the warehouses under construction will be equipped with a large grain mill.