Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
BEITBRIDGE, a district known for its bustling border post, hot temperatures and rich livestock, is fast becoming a hub for citrus farming in Zimbabwe.
The area’s conducive weather conditions and communal irrigation schemes have made it an attractive destination for citrus farmers.
According to recent farming experts’ projections, the production of citrus has dropped from 10 000 hectares to above 5 000 hectares due to climate change and relayed economic dynamics.
As it stands, Beitbridge produces export quality oranges, grapefruit and lemons from nearly 4100 hectares of land used by commercial, communal and irrigation farmers.
With its warm climate and reliable water supply, Beitbridge offers ideal conditions for growing a variety of citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.
Communal farmers in the area are embracing citrus farming, seeing it as a lucrative opportunity to improve their livelihoods.
The Government has been promoting citrus farming in the region, providing support to farmers through training and irrigation infrastructure development.
As a result, citrus production in Beitbridge has increased significantly, with farmers exporting their produce to regional and international markets.
“So far, we have nearly 4 100 hectares under citrus and the hectares keeps growing by each year and we are seeing a lot of farmers taking up citrus production at Khwalu, Shashe, Ndambe Phase 2 among others,” said the District Agritex officer Mr Masauso Mawocha.
“On the commercial side we have Nottingham Estate, Bishopstone, Cawood, Luhwade, Vice President KCD Mohadi, Shambayethu, Benfer Estate and of late we have new projects coming up at which include Orange Ville Pvt Ltd and Toppick Investments who have all made a good start.
“The focus by the farmers is mostly on the growing of oranges, grape fruits and lemons. You will note that citrus production is a lucrative enterprise which is profitable when earmarked for export. We urge the experienced farmers to learn from are there in Beitbridge”.
The growth of the citrus industry in Beitbridge has also created employment opportunities for locals, contributing to the town’s economic development.
With its potential for growth and development, Beitbridge is set to become a major player in Zimbabwe’s citrus industry.
During a recent tour of citrus projects in Beitbridge, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said there was a strong need for the Government and its partners to invest more and build the capacity of farmers in the horticulture sector for them to increase their annual contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He visited high impact projects in Beitbridge among them the new US$30 million Orange Ville citrus project at the Bishopstone Estate, the Nottingham Estate and the Palm River Special Economic Zone project.
The Vice President said currently, production levels in the sector were gradually rising calling for more investment in the area.
He said more farmers were now taking up opportunities in the citrus production sector and that Beitbridge was taking a lead in that sector.
Vice President Chiwenga said smallholder farmers and others in communal citrus production projects need to be assisted to expand and increase production to be able to meet the demand for citrus locally and for the international market.
“These project that I have visited have clearly demonstrated that the citrus business has now moved from everywhere in the country to Beitbridge,” he said.
“The infrastructure, I have seen here exceed what we have seen before, all the variables are here for things to work. The only thing we need to look at as Government and the private sector is how to bring water to grow this industry.”
