Schools opening breathes life into fresh produce markets

Elton Manguwo

THE high demand for agricultural produce that comes with the schools’ opening time has seen most of the country’s fresh produce markets bouncing back to profitable ways on the backdrop of brisk business that has allowed retailers to dispose of commodities and re-stock quickly.

Knowledge Transfer Africa chief executive officer Mr Charles Dhehwa yesterday said farmers’ earnings had increased, as the opening of schools had unlocked new off-take markets for farmers.

The bulk of farmers sell produce at Harare’s Mbare Musika with 80 percent of commodities being sold daily. Deliveries of products like tomatoes and potatoes range from 200 to 400 tonnes daily respectively, which highlights the importance of the markets.

“The markets play a pivotal role in providing farmers with ready cash to pay for school fees and expenses as evidenced by many traders coming from all corners of the country,” said Mr Dhehwa.

The Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) has been equipping small-scale farmers with market data to influence strategic farming to strike a balance between produce volumes and market uptake rather than directionless seasonal production.

“Farmers that had stocked produce are now coming through to match the growing demand in the market, said Mr Dhehwa.

The Government is stressing on production of daily horticultural consumables such as vegetables to be accorded a business approach so that farmers can harness the full potential and revenue from of the sector.

“We have to think critically about the demand base and then set up aggregation centres where commodities can be stored in production zones before they are transported to the market,” said Mr Dhehwa.

Farmers need to be aware of supply and value chain advantages of value addition through marketing and processing, which is of greater value than primary production itself.

“The processing of produce will be a key driver in boosting the Government’s plan for rural agro-industrialisation,” remarked Mr Dhehwa.

In addition to boosting production, the Government is set to invest US$186 million to benefit 1, 8 million families in the push to transform the horticulture industry into a US$1,2 billion sector.

Mr Dhehwa added: “We need to invest and commit resources into the entire value chain to ensure that there is return on investment, which can only be realised when farmers sell their produce to buyers at affordable prices.”

Big markets such as Mbare Musika play a pivotal role in diversifying the country’s sources of food options whilst creating employment through the value chain and have to be safeguarded.