admin
Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
THE Agricultural Rural Development Authority (Arda) has concluded an agreement with the local listed entity Schweppes Zimbabwe for the setting up of a tomato caning plant at the authority’s three estates.
The three estates are in Umguza, Norton, and Esigodini.
Tomatoes from the estates will be grown for the export market targeting mainly Namibia where there is great demand for tomatoes by the fishing industry.
Development Trust of Zimbabwe is the other partner in the tripartite arrangement.
The initial tomato plantation is expected to be put under drip irrigation in January with the projected output standing at 100 tonnes a day.
Arda board chairman, Basil Nyabadza confirmed the finalisation of the deal with Schweppes, which is the funding partner with an initial investment of $2,2 million working capital.
“I’m pleased to advise that in January we’ll be doing tomatoes and the nurseries are already there.
“We’re expecting a minimum of 100 tonnes a day in Norton and the other two farms will provide a combined 200 tonnes a day when production starts during the course of next year,” he said.
“The tomatoes are for Namibia who require the tomatoes for their foreign exchange earner, Pilchards fish which they can for export.
“We’re bringing in drip irrigation for the project and because of the Public Private Partnership, we reached out to Schweppes Zimbabwe who are providing the financing,” he said.
Expected output on the tomato plant according to Nyabadza will be between 90 to 100 tonnes per hectare from an initial investment of $8,000 per hectare over 90 days.
The yield will give a return on investment of at least $13,000 per hectare.
Arda has already begun building nurseries for the project and is in the process of sourcing for agronomy services so that tomatoes with the right quality are produced.
Online Reporter