Online Reporter
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 raw agricultural commodities through processing, packaging or marketing techniques, such as drying, milling or branding, which enhance product appeal, extend shelf life, reduce waste and boost 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 dollar.
During a recent crops assessment tour in Kadoma, 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 towards 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 a consumable 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.
He said the Government’s thrust is to ensure Zimbabwe sees value addition and beneficiation in every region so that local raw materials produce local products for local people.
Prof Jiri said this was 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 farm. And that is the Government’s thrust really, 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 the local communities,” he added.
“So certainly very key, the value-addition and beneficiation agenda leading to rural industrialisation and certainly rural development.”
The Permanent Secretary 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 was dedicated to ensuring that value addition, beneficiation and industrialisation efforts take firm root across the country.
