MSU farms peas for export markets

Michael Tome

Business Reporter

Midlands State University (MSU) has started producing snap peas at Gwenhoro Farm, Gweru, for the export markets in line with the country’s Education 5.0 initiative, which emphasises practical application of acquired knowledge to drive production and economic growth.

Pea production at Gwenhoro Farm is a testament to the country’s vision of having tertiary institutions spearhead industrial growth and development.

As it stands, harvesting of snap peas is in full swing at the farm, one of the properties working under the Midlands Peas Cluster growing the crop for the European export market.

This comes as local manufacturing firms and learning institutions have been implored to seriously consider adopting and implementing heritage-based education to have a competitive edge when exporting into regional and international markets.

The institution’s snap peas production also falls under the public-private partnership thrust. MSU is still riding on the success of other snap peas growers as it works on establishing its direct market access to markets around the world.

Through the public-private partnership (PPP) model, MSU is likely to benefit from collaborative partnerships that bring together academic expertise, industry know-how, and Government support, ultimately driving innovation and development in the agricultural sector.

Increased demand for peas, particularly in Europe, is widening export growth opportunities for Zimbabwe, leading to increased returns for local farmers.

This move is expected to contribute to the country’s economic growth by increasing its export earnings.

In 2024 snap peas market was worth US$462 million and Zimbabwe can tap into that vast market.

Both the education 5.0 drive and the PPPs model are in tandem with the National Development Strategy (NDS 1) targets, which seek to enhance human capital development and innovation, which is necessary for steering the country towards the realisation of Vision 2030.

Albeit coming to an end by December 2025, the blueprint seeks to create a knowledge-driven economy for sustained growth, innovation for industrialisation and modernisation of the country through configuration of the education system with a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

In an interview with this publication, MSU director of agro business, Mr Joseph Mataruse, said assistance from ZimTrade has motivated them to grow production capacity and enhance exports.

“We were not doing any exports until we got some motivation from workshops that we have done with ZimTrade.They have even taken us to some European markets where our products are required.

“We are looking forward to the European markets, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Also, we aim to supply the Middle East, that is, Saudi Arabia and Dubai,” said Mr Mataruse.

Also contributing to the national output of peas is Linkfield Farm, which is one of the largest producers in the Midlands Province.

The farm put 34 hectares under the crop and expects substantial yields from the current cropping season.

Linkfield technical manager Mr Thomas Karimazondo said peas production is a profitable venture in horticulture, offering farmers a lucrative opportunity to diversify crops and tap into growing demand, potentially boosting income and contributing to agricultural growth.

“Peas production is a highly profitable venture within the horticulture sector, presenting a lucrative opportunity for farmers to diversify their crops and tap into the growing demand for this nutritious and versatile legume.

“With its potential for high yields and strong market demand, pea production can be a rewarding and profitable enterprise for farmers, offering a promising avenue for economic growth and development. As Linkfield, we aim to deliver something like 49, 50 tonnes of peas to Germany,” said Mr Karimazondo.

Midlands Peas Cluster is steadily positioning itself as a key player in Zimbabwe’s horticultural export sector, driven by growing interest from both regional and international buyers.

This season, a total of 83 hectares were planted, with an expected output of approximately 664 tonnes.

ZimTrade Client Advisor Ms Nozipho Maphala said venturing into peas production can be a lucrative avenue for farmers.

She stressed that ZimTrade would do all it can to make sure that peas production capacity is expanded, especially through clusters, broadening the country’s export basket in the process.

“Peas production is the green gold for local farmers, and ZimTrade we are committed to boosting peas production, especially through cluster initiatives, to expand our country’s export base and create profitable opportunities for farmers.

“Now we will get peas in foreign currency markets, creating employment,” said Ms Maphala.

Profit margins for local farmers are expected to increase this year as seasonal changes have affected pea exports from Guatemala, one of the biggest international suppliers.

Through education 5.0 local universities are making strides in engaging in the production of products that are readily needed in the export markets.

Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) has managed to get a deal to export watermelons to Dubai, MSU on the other hand is expected to start exporting citrus products to Dubai next year with logistics already sorted out, while Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) has managed to reverse engineer equipment to process baobab pulp for export.

President Mnangagwa is on the record saying that through the ongoing Science, Technology and Innovation momentum in Zimbabwe, new export markets must be sought for the goods coming out of innovation hubs and the education 5.0 drive.