tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
ABOUT 2000 farmers from Chipinge, Chimanimani, Honde Valley and Mutare are benefitting from a partnership between Government and TechnoServe to produce cofee.
The initiative already has offtakers (Nespresso) for the product.
Producer prices have improved from as low as US$0,20 per kilogramme to the current US$8 per kg.
Coffee Commodity Association of Zimbabwe (CCAZ) chairperson Mr Talksure Bode said he expected the country to become a notable player in coffee production by 2025.
“The coming in of the Nespresso programme has enlightened farmers in terms of the knowhow of coffee production. We are grateful for the trainings we are getting,” said Mr Bode.
Zimbabwe is known for producing specialty coffee that is graded and scored based on various factors such as flavour, aroma and bean quality.
These specialty coffees are sought-after for their unique flavour profiles, often characterised by citrus, floral and berry notes.
Nespresso is the main off-taker of this export crop and still wants more from the Zimbabwean market, especially from small-scale farmers.
TechnoServe Coffee programme manager Dr Midway Bhunu said: “Our programme seeks to holistically support the revitalisation of the Zimbabwe coffee industry through training farmers on sustainable coffee farming techniques that meet international coffee markets standards.”
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter