Zimbabwe is targeting an increase in horticultural products for export markets to create more jobs and continuing to diversify its agricultural production base and increase production for local markets to give consumers a wider range of produce.
Horticulture exports last season grew by 6,8 percent to US$64,6 million from US$59,5 million recorded in the 2020-2021 season, according to the trade promotion body, ZimTrade.
This growth was driven by macadamia nuts exports, which contributed US$13,8 million, citrus at US$10,9 million, vegetables at US$4,2 million, and flowers at US$3,2 million.
Newer crops of blueberries increased sharply to 5 000 tons in the last season, and pecan nuts production increased significantly by 348percent from 85,3 tonnes in 2020-2021 to 374 tonnes in 2021-2022.
Recently, Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president Mrs. Depinah Nkomo said there was a need for the empowerment of smallholder farmers on infrastructural development and also on market requirements. "Smallholder farmers, especially women, require irrigation infrastructure so they can produce high-value crops throughout the year," she said. "Some of the women have the zeal to produce but lack technical expertise and do not have adequate information on the market."
Read the complete article at www.allafrica.com.