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Edgar Vhera-Agriculture Specialist Writer
GLOBAL leader in spice processing, Synthite Industry of India is set to establish a US$12 million chilli extraction plant in the country if the hectarage committed to producing the crop reaches 3 000ha at an average yield of 4 000 tonnes per hectare.
Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mrs Mary Mliswa-Chikoka revealed this during a field chillies field day at Nyahondo Farm in Banket where the hosting farmer, Mr Valentine Tapfumaneyi has a thriving 15ha of the crop.
“Zimbabwe should invade the chillies market by increasing area planted under the cash crop for increased export earnings.
“Farmers always complain that there is no funding, but Government has bankrolled the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) and AFC Land Bank to offer productive finance to farmers. We are gathered here to witness the success of a cash crop for export that has been financed by CBZ,” said Minister Mliswa-Chikoka.
Minister Mliswa-Chikoka said the engagement was a plus for the agriculture reform programme and the bank, which seeks to answer the clarion call by President Mnangagwa under the mantra of “production, production and production” by financing farmers.
She said chilli was a health boosting crop fighting a lot of ailments like malaria and was good for metabolism.
“I am thrilled the chillies project is being done by a young man, which speaks to the future, which also inspires other youths. The collaboration between the bank and the farmer has led to the growth of the industry as we move towards uplifting the provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from number two to one,” added Minister Mliswa.
The host farmer, Mr Tapfumaneyi who is also the chief executive officer of agriculture contracting company Shumbatafari, said the company was made up of a breed of young farmers with a 21st century approach of globalising farming through agribusiness.
“Productivity together with partnerships from regional and international companies is crucial to market Zimbabwean produce, with the company’s targeting to export 2 000 tonnes of wet and dried paprika this year.
“We have an impending partnership with Synthite Industry of India, the global leader in spices, extracts, flavours and essential oils with over 50 years of experience and a US$400 million annual revenue and present in over 100 countries.
“They are now looking to procure paprika from Zimbabwe,” said Mr Tapfumaneyi.
He said Synthite once imported paprika from Zimbabwe in the early 2000s. The company has an annual requirement of 10 000 to 15 000 tonnes of dried paprika.
To increase production Shumbatafari is contracting out-growers for chillies with current production taking place on 200 hectares.
“The vision is to set up a US$12 million extraction plant for Synthite, here in Zimbabwe in the next few years if the country secures the volumes needed,” added Mr Tapfumaneyi.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development youth desk chief programmes coordinator Mr Nickros Kanjengo said chillies was a unique crop, which is on demand even in the United Kingdom (UK) where he went on a market research mission recently.
Mr Kanjengo said Mashonaland West province was fortunate to be selected among the 50 beneficiaries who will be provided with free inputs to expand chilli production.
The trend among consumers world over is the increasing demand for fresh produce to be sustainably and ethically produced to make it healthy and safe to eat. International consumers want to know where the produce comes from, support rendered to smallholder farmers for continuity and accountability, a requirement that many developing nations are unable to meet.
The growing appetite for spicy foods has resulted in increased demand for dried chillies in the world with developing countries as the major producers.
High quality and sustainably produced chillies fetch a higher price on the market.
Chillies are a premium product with superior colour and taste due to climate.
Zimbabwe produces “clean label” chillies with no artificial colours or flavours, spicier chillies than China’s.
Chillies, which are categorised as spices and herbs saw their average price increasing by 33 percent from US$1, 95 in 2020 to US$2, 59 per kilogramme in 2022.
This compares favourably with the price of US$1, 50 per kilogramme being paid by Shumbatafari to local farmers.
Online Reporter