THE country’s export promotion body ZimTrade has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PUM, a Netherlands business support organisation, to provide factory floor interventions, as well as expert advice to small and medium-scale farmers in the horticultural sector.
BY TARISAI MANDIZHA
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Harare, ZimTrade chairperson, Lance Jena said the intervention would assist to reposition Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector, in particular small-to-medium sized farmers to become key drivers in the growth of exports.
The expected results from this intervention are cost effective methods, increased yields, and production of goods quality agriculture produce for the export market, adaptation of market systems and supply chains in line with international markets and increased volumes and value of horticultural exports.
Jena said this would be achieved through knowledge transfer in planting production, harvesting post-harvest management, processing as well as linkages to strategic markets.
“The timing of the PUM intervention is very appropriate to Zimbabwe and ZimTrade, as we actively chart a way forward for the development and promotion of exports. This partnership being solemnised today will positively contribute towards addressing challenges that are prevalent within the horticultural value chain,” he said.
Jena said the horticulture sector was a low hanging fruit because of its quick returns with appropriate interventions; the sector could be turned around for sustainable export growth. PUM representative in Zimbabwe Prosper Matodi said the development was a major milestone for the country to unlock the value of the land reform exercise.
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“We are now going further to address the contradictions of the programme, and this will unlock value. ZimTrade cannot trade without products, so we need to work and produce so that we can trade,” he said.
According to official statistics, the contribution of horticulture exports reached a peak in 1999/2000 with exports of $143 million. However, this contribution has since declined to $23,5 million in 2014/2015.
PUM has implemented diverse and successful projects throughout the continent. A South African manufacturer of field service tool boxes and canopies, Rock Solid Industries, has grown into an international supplier after having benefited from a PUM intervention programme. The company is now supplying markets such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
