BEITBRIDGE, Jul. 28 (NewsDay Live) — Zimbabwe has urged agro-processors to strengthen drought resilience in Matabeleland South as Orangeville, a US$25 million citrus processing company, plans to create 1,500 jobs over the next five years while expanding value addition and food security.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Albert Ngulube said investment in agro-processing, productivity and value addition would help cushion communities against the effects of an anticipated El Niño-induced dry season while boosting the province’s economy.
“The role of government is to implement national priorities and ensure Matabeleland South produces enough for domestic demand and export,” Ngulube said during a tour of the company’s operations. “With dry conditions forecast, we must build investments that also support livestock farmers and food systems.”
Orangeville, established in Beitbridge in 2024, has invested an additional US$5 million on top of its initial US$20 million investment. Its new citrus juice processing plant has been certified to supply Schweppes, marking a significant milestone in local value addition.
The company employs about 350 workers, around 60% of them seasonal because of the citrus harvest cycle. Management said the workforce is expected to grow to at least 1,500 within five years as a planned 5,000-hectare citrus plantation comes into production to secure fruit supplies.
To improve resilience against drought, the company sources about 40% of its water from Zhove Dam. Ngulube encouraged the company to diversify further by producing fodder to support livestock farmers during dry spells.
The minister also toured processing lines that extract orange essential oil for the cosmetics industry and convert citrus residue into livestock feed supplements and pellets.
Ngulube urged Orangeville to expand its corporate social responsibility initiatives. The company has rehabilitated local roads, supplied citrus residue for livestock and wildlife feed, and built 90 employee houses and two hostels equipped with electricity and running water.
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He said future investments should include a workers’ clinic and a preschool.
“Meaningful corporate social responsibility ensures no one and no place is left behind in our development agenda,” Ngulube said.
Company officials said inconsistent citrus supplies from nearby growers, many of whom sell to higher-paying buyers, and high transport costs remain key operational challenges. They welcomed the government’s support for investment and said they would continue expanding community development programmes.
Orangeville said production and export figures for the current harvest season will be released after harvesting is complete.
