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Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
ABOUT 4 000 smallholder farmers in some districts of Matabeleland, Midlands and Masvingo provinces, have been capacitated to value-add products such as chilli, roundnuts and marula, as they feed the end products into the export markets.
A number of farmers have developed thriving rural micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that are contributing to the provincial economies leading to national economic development.
Under the Strengthening Competitiveness and Potential for Export of Inclusive Value Chains Project in Zimbabwe (SCOPE4IVC), farmers in four districts of Umzingwane, Bubi, Gokwe South and Chivi have been trained and capacitated on improved competitiveness and export capacity in inclusive and pro-poor value chains.
In a presentation at the 2023 International MSMEs Commemoration Day in Bulawayo last Wednesday, SCOPE4IVC head of project Mr Minenhle Ngwenya who is in charge of the implementation of the project said about 4 449 farmers have benefitted.
“Of the 4 449 targeted farmers that have benefitted from the project, 87 percent are women and 13 percent youths. The advantage of the project is that farmers connect to markets they previously could not access.
“We are working in four districts spread across four provinces in the country.
“We have Gokwe South in Midlands, Bubi in Matabeleland North, Umzingwane in Matabeleland South and Chivi in Masvingo.
We are supporting three value chains that we consider to be inclusive value chains.
“When we say inclusive, this is a value chain typically that if you were supporting a commodity or a product it will enlist the participation of a rural smallholder farmer.”
He said they organised smallholder farmers into functional groups so that they could commercially produce and market their products with special attributes towards accessing food markets.
Mr Ngwenya said in terms of roundnuts also known as bambara nuts which was implemented in all four districts, 2 355 farmers that planted the crop on 416 hectares harvested 186 tonnes.
“Potential off-takers for these farmers were companies such as Afridelli, Mr Brands, Agriculture Business Centre, Quality Foods, Associated Foods and Peak Trading among others.”
He said some of the farmers also got international certification such as the Global GAP certification, to demonstrate their commitment to advancing good agricultural practices, as well as Global Novel Foods certification.
Mr Ngwenya said for chilli, the project was implemented in three districts, namely Gokwe South, Bubi and Umzingwane, while 1 656 farmers participated.
“The hectarage was 125,25 hectares and the projected yield being 69,4 tonnes. The potential off-takers were Agriculture Business Centre (ABC), Wastale trading as Chilli Power, AfroHouse, Zimspice, Roshani investments Private Limited.
“Markets have been secured locally with suppliers like ABC buying with the intention to export regionally to South Africa and internationally,” he added.
He said in districts of Chivi, Bubi and Umzingwane, 438 smallholder farmers participated in the project for marula and markets were secured locally.
Mr Ngwenya said the potential off takers are Hutano Foods, Kaza, Grasslands and Kopjes and Kukura Organics, Usafi Oil and Mafemo Trading, while marula collectors in Chivi District got the Ecocert Certification, that guarantee and highlight the best environmentally friendly and socially conscious practices.
He said some of the value-added goods were also being exhibited at a number of local and international trade showcases.
Online Reporter