Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
THE Horticultural Development Council (HDC) will tomorrow host the fourth edition of the horticulture investment forum in Harare, bringing together stakeholders to exchange innovative ideas aimed at achieving a US$2,5 billion industry by 2030.
HDC has been hosting the forum since 2021.
The fourth investment forum comes at a time when operationalisation of the Government’s Horticultural Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP) gathers steam.
Government in 2020 crafted the HRGP to stimulate both conventional and rural horticulture production, accelerate productivity, boost trade and contribute towards food security and nutrition.
The plan was also crafted to enhance import substitution, foreign currency generation, employment creation and raising household incomes in pursuit of Vision 2030.
The country has scored notable success with the booming growth of the blueberry sub-sector which now leads in the horticulture industry.
Success has also been registered in the opening of the Chinese markets for citrus, avocado and blueberry among others.
According the ZimTrade, export earnings from horticulture sector rose 74 percent from US$100 854 000 in 2016 to US$175 560 000 last year.
