daniel chigunwe
Fildah Gwati
THE Federation of Young Farmers Club Zimbabwe (FYFCZ) has established a horticulture commodity export desk to enable young farmers to export produce to the United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom through global gap training and certification.
Given the challenges arising from market fluctuations in pricing due to demand and supply forces, the FYFCZ recently launched the Federations Export Club to create opportunities for young farmers to gain access to regional and international markets, which offer better revenue.
Export Club director Angelbert Deketeke said: “The exports desk has initiated a number of trainings in collaboration with a third party on global gap training, certification and export appreciation by ZimTrade. The exports desk is in talks with potential offtakers from the UAE and UK for supply of various commodities ranging from fine beans, peas, butternuts, avocados and macadamias. The federation is also creating a joint managed and owned company with the UAE Trading Company. Plans to establish a farmer managed pack house for purposes of aggregating and packing produce for export are also underway.”
FYFCZ Edwin Kudanga concurred that horticulture is a very lucrative division in the agriculture sector but the biggest challenge has always been access to markets There is need for global gap certification for farmers to access external markets because there is a high demand for products in external markets which can generate huge profits.
“FYFCZ is demystifying export farming and together with Fresh Solutions Africa in partnership with Zimtrade, have come up with a ground-breaking solution for the small scale farmers with as little as 0.5ha to see their crops enter international markets for better prices. From as little as USD$100 a farmer can now start his global certification journey and immediately start exporting his farm produce while using the proceeds to regularise progressively,” he added
FYFCZ president Mr Tinashe Ben Muchedzi said, “the young farmer business is directly exposed and competes on regional and international market stages, while bringing visibility to their brands on a global scale. This is a call to all aspiring young farmers to join this initiative through the Federation, and be part of a game changing program that will spur farming in Zimbabwe to the next level. This is an exciting opportunity for current and aspiring young farmers to aid the country in achieving its National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) goals and vision 2030.”
This is boosted by an elite mentorship base aimed at skills development through education and training, while enhancing sustainable production and profitability as we champion AGRO-entrepreneurial development breathing life into the vision of inspiring 1 million women and youth towards a multibillion agricultural industry.
Caleb Dlandhlara a farmer, thanked the FYFCZ for hosting the Global Gap training and Export Process and Procedures training because it broadened knowledge and outlook on compliance for export markets at high level. The FYFCZ is excelling in capacitating young farmers to meet compliance regulating requirements in the export market especially the traditional markets in the UK, Middle Far East, Asian and regional markets. In conclusion this is much desired contribution to the attainment of the NDS1 by FYFCZ.
Global gap certificate is a document that is required in order to be able to access foreign markets which would catapult farmers to successful farming and less headaches but this has always only been taken up by large scale commercial farmers as the cost of certification has always been a major barrier to entry.
Online Reporter