dyton mupawaenda
Edgar Vhera and Lawrence Kabulika
AS the sweet potato marketing season draws to a close, data compiled recently by local online fresh produce marketing platform eMKambo revealed that over 3 000 tonnes were traded in major markets across Zimbabwe this past season.
The figures shed light on the contribution of various regions and highlight the importance of sweet potatoes within the country’s food system.
The season, which spanned from January 2023 to date, showcased the resilience and potential of this unsung hero in Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector.
Farmers bringing the last supplies to the market have reaped increased earnings as the price spiked over 100 percent from an average of US$3,50 per 20 litre bucket at peak supply to the current US$7,50.
Giving an update on the marketing trend from January to October 2023, Knowledge Transfer Africa (KTA) chief executive officer Dr Charles Dhewa yesterday said the price of sweet potatoes had risen as the product is out of season with farmers preparing their fields for new plantings.
“As the sweet potato marketing season comes to an end, the volume of the product supplied to the country’s major fresh produce markets from January 2023 to date show that approximately 3 000 tonnes have been traded. Prices have picked from between US$3 to US$4 per 20-litre bucket at peak supply times to the current high ranging from US$7 to US$8,” Dr Dhewa said.
The Harare and Chitungwiza fresh produce markets in Mbare, Chikwanha, Lusaka-Highfield and Hatcliffe accounted for 22 percent of the trade with 611 tonnes, followed by Bulawayo and Gweru at 308 and 270 respectively.
Gwanda market had the lowest sweet potato sales as only 16 tonnes were sold.
These figures illustrate the widespread cultivation and distribution of sweet potatoes, emphasising their importance in various regions across the country.
Dr Dhewa urged stakeholders to continue investing in the cultivation and marketing of the crop.
“As the sweet potato season comes to an end, farmers and traders can take pride in their significant contribution to the country’s food system.
“The impressive supply volumes across major markets and the increasing prices underscore the importance of sweet potatoes in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
“Moving forward, stakeholders are encouraged to continue investing in the cultivation and marketing of this versatile crop to ensure its sustained success and impact on food security,” he added.
The conclusion of the sweet potato season marks not only the end of a productive period but also the beginning of preparations for the upcoming planting season, where farmers will once again nurture the growth of this invaluable crop, contributing to the nation’s well-being and prosperity.
Meanwhile, the Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report (CLAFA – 2) disclosed that sweet potato production was projected to increase 33 percent from 207 529 tonnes in the 2021/22 season to 276 784 tonnes in the 2022/23 season.
The area planted rose from 56 percent from 26 306 hectares in 2021/22 season to 41 082 last season and this increase is attributable to the free vine distribution under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, the report said.
The report said the country required 314 551 tonnes of sweet potato annually and the anticipated total production of 276 784 tonnes resulted in a deficit of 37 767 tonnes.
By October 2 this year Kutsaga, Low Veld Research Institute (LRI), Coffee Research Institute (CRI) and Horticulture Research Institute (HRI) had churned out a combined total of 3 000 000 vines since the inception of the programme in 2021 and all the vines were collected from the propagation centres and distributed to farmers with one household receiving 50 vines.
Some farmers are propagating vines in gardens and irrigation schemes for the next season after harvesting their crop.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) weekly report dated October 2 said the Government had set a national target of 30 000 hectares of the crop for the 2023/24 summer season.
Online Reporter