Andrew
Trade Focus
Allan Majuru
THE current development agenda places emphasis on increasing exports, especially of value-added products.
Thus, the exporting community becomes an important pillar towards the target of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income economy by 2030.
During the ZimTrade Annual Exporters Conference held recently in Harare, President Mnangagwa — in a speech read on his behalf by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube — told exporters that they have a bigger role to play in growing the country’s foreign currency earnings, job creation and technology transfer.
As part of efforts to grow the country’s base of exporting companies, Government has prioritised devolution.
Explaining how devolution is important in supporting exports, President Mnangagwa recently said: “The need to establish economic independence at district level is paramount, and this inclusive approach ensures that the country’s exports are widely diversified to the full extent of the country’s capabilities. The success of our people at the district level is the collective success of all of us at the national level.”
Under the new approach, provinces are expected to identify products and services unique to them that could be developed for exports.
And to identify such products and services, ZimTrade — the country’s trade development and promotion organisation — conducted surveys across all provinces.
The survey of Midlands province concluded that sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing and services could be harnessed to promote exports.
Gweru
The capital of Midlands province has a predominantly urban population and presents viable economic activities across sectors such as agriculture, leather, manufacturing, mining, engineering and education.
Gweru is home to the largest shoe company in Zimbabwe, Bata, and this could readily support a strong leather cluster in the province, which, in turn, can transform the district into a shoe-manufacturing and exporting hub in Southern Africa.
There is huge potential to export shoes and other leather products to regional markets such as Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In addition, the district has potential for exporting steel products.
Other manufacturing activities that could provide quick-wins on the export front include weaving and textile, clothing, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs).
Gokwe North and South
The most common economic activity in Gokwe North and South districts is farming, with most smallholder farmers specialising in cotton production.
However, some farmers are increasingly tapping into honey production.
There is even more value to be unlocked if cotton is value-added.
This could create more jobs and result in better earnings for farmers, including improved livelihoods.
There are also emerging products such as chillies and dried fruits that could provide alternative export options for rural communities in Gokwe.
In terms of honey, regional markets which are not demanding in terms of certifications could provide a soft landing.
To quickly unlock honey export opportunities, capacity-building interventions are required so that farmers can produce enough quantities required by buyers in regional markets.
Chirumhanzu
Most common economic activities that could support prospects for exports in the Chirumhanzu are mining and agriculture.
Most smallholder farmers in the district have experience and knowledge in production of small grains like bambara nuts (nyimo/indlubu), ground nuts, sorghum and rapoko, and these could be earmarked for export as international demand is rising.
For example, bambara nuts are not complicated to grow and can thrive in many soils, making it possible for Chirumhanzu to develop an export cluster around the products and other small grains and nuts.
With other horticultural produce such as onions and tomatoes being produced in the district, value-addition activities such as canning will allow farmers to preserve value and access export markets.
Kwekwe
This is a hub of agricultural, manufacturing and mining activities, with low-hanging fruits in products such as steel.
The largest steel manufacturing factory, Steelmakers, is in Redcliff, near Kwekwe, the district capital.
The district contains many large and small mines and several large steel mills.
It has potential to be a steel export hub in the province.
In agriculture, the district produces chillies, tomatoes, cucumbers and green pepper, which can be exported.
Economic activities in the manufacturing sector involve agrifood processing, where the district is already producing canned vegetables for the local market.
With increased production, the market could be extended to countries in the region such as Angola, Botswana, DRC and Mozambique.
Mberengwa District
Mining and production of small grains are major economic activities in the district.
However, there have been efforts to boost production of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Export potential in the district lies in production of horticulture products such as tomatoes, cabbages and butternuts, all of which are in high demand in regional markets such as Botswana.
However, in order to export successfully, there is need to focus on capacitation skills for small-holder farmers.
These include training in agronomy, post-harvest handling, as well as cold chain management.
Zvishavane and Shurugwi Districts
These two districts in Midlands province have large deposits of minerals such as platinum and gold.
Value addition and beneficiation can therefore increase export earnings.
The other viable economic activity for export markets in the districts is agriculture, although production is still low.
What is encouraging, however, is that the districts have experienced an increase in smallholder farmers in recent years, most of whom have limited connection to export markets.
But irrigation schemes have been successful in exporting, with buyers coming from Francistown in Botswana to purchase vegetables such as kale/rape.
Some of the products with export potential that can be produced in the districts include sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, baby marrow and cucumbers.
To be successful, there is need to integrate smallholder farmers into the lucrative export market.
There is also need to consolidate their products for destinations such as the Netherlands, United Kingdom and China that require huge quantities.
To achieve this, concerted efforts must be made to mainstream group cohesion.
Allan Majuru is ZimTrade’s chief executive officer
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