Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera-Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
Government has officially launched the eight-year US$66,5 million Horticulture Enterprise Enhancement Project (HEEP) to directly benefit 71 000 smallholder farmer households and indirectly 50 000 by 2031.
The launch, held in Harare yesterday, brought together various ministries and departments, the private sector, development partners and farmer representatives.
The HEEP initiative will establish 620 village business units (VBUs) while enhancing the 4Ps model (Public, Private and Producers Partnerships) as well as enabling smallholder farmers to engage in commercial markets.
Capacities will be bolstered through targeted capacity-building efforts, matching grants, and public infrastructure investments that catalyse value chain actors’ contributions.
The investments are projected to yield various socio-economic benefits, such as enhanced income through the commercial sale of horticultural produce from Village Horticulture Gardens (VHGs), improved nutrition, gains in efficiency through public infrastructure investments, enhanced rural connectivity, job creation across both farm and non-farm activities, and bolstering local economies, among others.
HEEP is jointly funded by the Government of Zimbabwe (US$5,2 million), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD – US$37,1 million), and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID – US$15 million).
Financial institutions are expected to provide US$5 million, while private sector anchor firms will chip in with US$3,1 million, with the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) bringing in US$0,59 million. Smallholder farmers are participants, and their skill sets and services will be valued at US$1 million. The first phase of HEEP will be implemented in 20 districts from Matabeleland South, Manicaland, Masvingo and Midlands provinces.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said the HEEP was an epochal advancement towards the sustainable transformation of Zimbabwe’s horticultural sector, a sector that stands poised to become a cornerstone of the economic fabric, driving export growth and nurturing rural development.
“HEEP is aligned with our guiding frameworks, including the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP), the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS) and the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
“It is a stellar representation of Zimbabwe’s commitment to empowering the horticulture sub-sector as a central driver of national economic growth,” Dep Min Haritatos said.
The Deputy Minister said HEEP embodied a strategic initiative focused on improving rural livelihoods and economic conditions for smallholder farmers involved in sustainable horticulture value chains.
“HEEP will also increase foreign exchange earnings from horticulture exports, promote import substitution and build climate resilience through climate-smart agricultural practices.
“We possess abundant land, a favourable climate, a dedicated populace, and a firm commitment to positive change. What remains essential now is coordinated action, sustained collaboration and resolute determination,” Dep Min Haritatos said.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the Government regarded the revival of the horticulture sector as a key element in boosting the economy through enabling the smallholder sector to participate meaningfully in enhanced production and productivity, development of local and regional markets, employment creation, expansion of exports, and reduction in poverty.
“Zimbabwe is spending billions on importing horticultural products, and foreign currency resources could be saved through boosting local production.
“As we launch HEEP, we are committed to building on the successes of the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP) and the Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP), while addressing the emerging challenges and opportunities in the horticulture sector,” Prof Jiri said.
He said the Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (ARDA)-managed Mangwe VHG demonstrated a strong interest and commitment to engage with horticulture production for the benefit of smallholder farmers.
IFAD’s country director for Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia, and for the Multi-Country Office in Southern Africa, Mr Francesco Rispoli, said his organisation has been investing in rural economies and food systems in Zimbabwe since 1980, supporting eight development projects valued at US$396,3 million, with US$162,8 million from IFAD directly.
“HEEP is intended to directly reach an estimated 71 000 households, representing 355 000 people,” Mr Rispoli said.
