marble nkomo
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Writer
THE Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has commended farmers for on-farm value addition which is playing a critical role under Rural Development 8.0.
On-farm value addition increases the value of agricultural commodities through processing, packaging, or marketing techniques such as drying, milling, or branding, which enhances product appeal, extends shelf life, reduces waste and boosts profitability.
It transforms raw goods into higher-value products such as turning milk into cheese or fruits into jams, allowing farmers to capture more of the consumer’s dollar.
During a recent crops assessment tour, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri commended the Ministry’s Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos for leading by example on the on-farm value addition initiative.
“Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos is walking the talk by championing the establishment of small rural industries and local processing hubs. Under Rural Development 8.0, the narrative is shifting toward on-farm value addition.
“There is no need for farmers to grow soybean like this and transport it all the way to a major centre for it only to be processed and sent back as finished product.
“By moving the factory to the field, the money that used to go to city middlemen stays in the farmer’s pocket,” he said.
Prof Jiri said the Government’s thrust is to ensure Zimbabwe sees value-addition and beneficiation in every region so that local raw materials produce products for local people.
He said this is a victory for the rural family as on-farm processing means food is cheaper because there are no high transport costs and less food goes to waste.
“We need rural development efforts to focus on small plans that will value-add these crops on farms. That is the Government’s thrust to say let’s have as many small rural industries which consume our raw materials and produce value-added products which can then be utilised and purchased by local communities,” said Prof Jiri.
He said value-addition and beneficiation agenda is leading to rural industrialisation and rural development.”
Prof Jiri emphasised that this vision of rural industrialisation leading to rural development remains the Government’s primary focus over the next few years.
He said in alignment with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the Ministry is dedicated to ensuring that value-addition, beneficiation and industrialisation efforts take firm root across the country.
“This is the path we are walking to ensure that rural industrialisation becomes the heartbeat of our national growth, transforming every region into a hub of local production and prosperity,” he said.
For years, the dust clouds behind trucks as farmers watch their soybeans being trucked to Harare.
This means they are watching their profit, their children’s jobs and their village’s potential drive away.
Farmers sell their crops cheaply, only to buy them back later as expensive cooking oil from a city store.
This old way makes the farm gate an exit for wealth, rather than a door to prosperity.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter