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Fildah Gwati
National trade promotion and development organisation, ZimTrade, is leading the charge to integrate rural communities into mainstream export business through producing internationally competitive sweet potato varieties.
ZimTrade client advisor Mr Kudakwashe Tarivaviri recently told The Herald that they want to reshape the narrative of horticultural exports, making it accessible to smallholder and rural farmers while creating sustainable revenue streams to uplift the previously marginalised communities.
Mr Tarivaviri explained that ZimTrade was establishing a sweet potato cluster in the Midlands province to complement an already existing peas cluster.
This diversification and economic empowerment initiative holds the promise of not only yielding crops, but also sowing the seeds of prosperity and global recognition for local farmers, he said.
“The sweet potato cluster joins an array of existing clusters nurtured by ZimTrade over the years, showcasing a remarkable diversity of products such as leather goods, honey, pineapples, arts and crafts, bananas, marula, sesame, peas, citrus fruits and baobab.
“Sweet potatoes are renowned as a nutritional powerhouse, rich in key vitamins A and C, manganese, fibre, and strong antioxidants. Their adaptability to various climates and soil conditions makes them an excellent choice for widespread cultivation, particularly in regions like the Midlands, where their year-round growth potential promises sustainable production,” said Mr Tarivaviri.
Recently, ZimTrade organised an export awareness seminar for the pioneering members of the Midlands Agriculture Commodities Cooperative (MACC), which was established through extensive community engagements between 2022 and 2023 and now serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision in driving agricultural prosperity.
“The sessions at the seminar dealt with ways of cultivating premium produce, covering everything from land preparation and planting techniques to proper weed control, irrigation, and harvesting methods.
“Experts emphasised the importance of best agricultural practices to ensure the highest quality sweet potatoes, meeting the stringent specifications of international markets. The importance of meeting strict international standards for variety selection, sizing precision, and pest/disease prevention was underscored,” added Mr Tarivaviri.
He added that the seminar went beyond cultivation and equipping participants with knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of exporting. Market research techniques, funding acquisition, logistics coordination and securing payments were also explored. He highlighted the transformative power of collaborative clusters in horticultural exports, emphasising that knowledge-sharing, collective negotiating power and streamlined access to vital resources were crucial.
The seminar inspired a compelling narrative of unity, shared responsibility and effective leadership within the cluster, instilling a vision of collective success and sustainable growth. Participants left the event enthusiastic about the future of their sweet potato export enterprise.
Meanwhile, Trade Map figures reveal that African nations such as Egypt, South Africa and Mali have been exporting sweet potatoes with revenues amounting to US$81 million, US$10 million and US$2 million each respectively.
A closer look at Trade Map data shows the global demand dynamics for sweet potatoes carving a consistent upward trajectory in imports since 2014. The rise from US$330 million in 2014 to a peak of US$800 million in 2021 indicates a robust appetite for this nutritious tuber in international markets.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter