Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
AS the country targets a US$2 billion horticulture industry by 2030, stakeholders are drafting a Statutory Instrument (SI) to realign standards and trade measures to actualise targets under the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP).
The HRGP is meant to guide and support the revival of the conventional horticulture industry by providing a relevant and evidence-based framework for coordinating the development of commodity-specific strategies, projects and programmes.
The plan is also intended to stimulate a transformative rural horticulture sub-sector under the Presidential Horticulture Scheme, which covers 1,8 million rural households.
A trade measures stakeholder workshop organised by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) and the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) was recently held in Harare to review and realign horticulture standards and trade measures.
The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders across the value chain, reflecting a growing national commitment to ensuring quality, transparency and consumer protection in agricultural marketing.
Among the participants were senior officials from the Ministries of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and Industry and Commerce, leading retailers and consumer protection bodies as well as technical experts and regulators.
AMA acting chief executive officer, Mr Jonathan Mukuruba, emphasised the authority’s proactive role in developing inclusive and responsive legislation that facilitates fair trade and sustainable market growth.
“Standards are the foundation of fair trade. They promote transparency, ensure product quality and safety and ultimately build consumer confidence — both locally and internationally. Through this workshop, we are ensuring that the voices of key players, especially retailers and consumer advocates, are heard in the drafting of this important legislation,” he said.
The new SI will serve to enhance regulatory clarity, protect consumers and align the country’s horticultural trade practices in line with regional and international norms.
Participants used the platform to share experiences, highlight challenges and suggest ways in which the proposed SI could be shaped to reflect the realities on the ground.
Retailers, in particular, raised concerns about inconsistencies in product grading, labelling, packaging and enforcement, noting the difficulties they face when sourcing produce that does not conform to clear standards.
In response, the proposed SI is expected to provide comprehensive guidelines covering these aspects and establish penalties for non-compliance.
The new regulations will also place a strong emphasis on food safety and traceability, in line with global agricultural trends and export requirements.
With increasing demand for transparency in food origins, especially in export markets, the SI is anticipated to support traceability systems that allow for better monitoring of agricultural supply chains, from farm to fork.
“We cannot develop relevant standards in isolation, that is why we engaged all the stakeholders to ensure our legislation is practical, enforceable and responsive to all customer needs.
“Our goal is to create an enabling environment where horticultural produce from Zimbabwe meets high standards required by both local and international markets and this requires clarity in measurement, quality control and safety assurance,” Mr Mukuruba said.
Standards are key in enhancing Zimbabwe’s export competitiveness, especially under trade frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the European Union (EU) markets.
By aligning local regulations with internationally recognised standards, the country stands to gain from increased market access and improved reputation for its fresh produce.
