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Precious Manomano
THE progressive impact of the Government’s intervention policies is beginning to show with the horticulture sector’s export earnings projected to more than double from last year’s US$64 million to US$143 million this year.
Last year, the Government launched a US$30 million Horticulture Export Revolving Fund (HERF) to enhance the horticulture sector’s contribution to the growth of the country’s export earnings and economic growth.
The funding was basically focusing on supporting horticultural farmers and those involved in exports.
The Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment report (CLAFA) 2 for the 2022/23 summer season that was recently released by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development indicates that there was an overall increase in production of horticultural crops for the 2022/23 season.
The report showed that production of blueberries increased significantly by 69 percent from 3 420 tonnes last season to 5 787 tonnes this season. Irish potato production increased by 12 percent from 534 543 tonnes last season to 599 550 tonnes this season. Onions rose by 32 percent from 220 625 tonnes last season to 290 628 tonnes this season with leafy vegetables growing by 35 percent from 194 152 tonnes to 261 960 tonnes. Cabbages increased by 29 percent from 471 555 to 607 392 tonnes.
Tomato production increased by 19 percent from 281 610 to 336 300 tonnes while peas production decreased by 29 percent from 3 976 to 2 832 tonnes.
Oranges increased by six percent from 169 084 to 179 482 tonnes with lemons also rising by six percent 67 640 to 71 652 tonnes this season. On the other hand, tea production declined by nine percent from 24 994 to 22 648 tonnes this season.
Deciduous fruits – peaches and nectarines increased by nine percent from 4 708 to 6076 tonnes. Macadamia production recorded a one percent rise from 48 600 to 49 020 tonnes with bananas increasing by four percent from 300 998 to 313 638 tonnes.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka recently observed that the horticulture sub-sector was contributing immensely to the development and promotion of international trade. He said Zimbabwe was renowned for the quality of its organic horticultural produce, which included macadamia, avocadoes, blueberries, oranges, bananas, tea, coffee and pineapples.
Permanent secretary in the same Ministry Dr John Basera also cited blueberries as an example of the horticultural crops whose production Zimbabwe could expand adding that they were a high value crop suitable for Zimbabwe’s climatic conditions.
“We are going for growth and we are getting there and this horticulture export development fund will help up-scale our figures in the horticulture export space. In 2016 we had zero hectares of blueberries but we are now talking of 400ha. We are targeting about 470ha this year and this is a very high value crop.
“What is so exciting is that as Zimbabwe we do endow good geographical and climatic advantages. We get on to the blueberry market four weeks earlier than other producers and the best price. We remain on the markets for an extended period of between two and three weeks at the other end of the season,” added Dr Basera.
Zimbabwe boasts a good geographical position and the right climatic conditions, good soils and pristine water resources critical for the production of high quality horticultural crops. The Presidential Rural Horticulture Transformation Plan will benefit 2, 3 million households from fruit production and village nutrition gardens this year
Online Reporter