Masvingo — Plans to establish what could be Zimbabwe's biggest crocodile-rearing project by a private investor in Mwenezi have gathered steam amid reports that at least 10 000 reptiles have already been acquired for breeding.

The project is being rolled out by Zimbabwe Bio Energy at the vast Nuanetsi Ranch, where the company has also invested in cane production for bio-fuels.

Masvingo Governor Titus Maluleke has hailed the crocodile project, saying it was going to radically change the economic fortunes of Mwenezi and Masvingo as a whole for the better.

Governor Maluleke who recently toured the crocodile project said Zimbabwe could accrue huge foreign currency earnings from the export-based initiative.

"The project is really a shot in the arm for the province because indications on the ground show that the crocodile rearing project will arguably become the biggest in Zimbabwe, if not in the whole of Africa.

"Once fully implemented the face of Mwenezi and Masvingo as a whole will change.

"The company is mainly looking at exports and that is good in terms of foreign currency generation, especially for a poor and arid district like Mwenezi.

"But we will also continue to strive to ensure that local people benefit from the project," he said.

He added Government was keen to see the revival of export-oriented projects in Masvingo, some of which have not been operating due to myriad problems.

Recently, a former white farmer abandoned another crocodile-rearing project in Chikombedzi on the shores of the Runde River derelict in still unclear circumstances.

The project had been lying idle for sometime before he abandoned it despite the presence of state-of-the-art infrastructure on the premises.