Bulawayo November 30, 2022 (New Ziana)-Farmers from the Matebeleland
region have been assured of vast untapped export markets for their
horticulture products in the region and accross the globe.
In an interview with New Ziana on the sidelines of an export awareness
seminar, national trade development and promotion body ZimTrade client
advisor Tawanda Chiware said there was need to educate farmers from the
region on export requirements including certification, food services
standards as well as to identify crops which they could grow for export
in future.
There are a lot of untapped export markets for horticulture produce from Matebeleland, both regionally and globally, that is why we have found it necessary to conduct a seminar for local farmers, he said.
Chiware said the seminar had been overscribed, as over 70 farmers from the region attended, almost double the 40 that Zimtrade had initially
targted.
Speaking at the same event, global Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P)farm assurer Clarence Mwale said before any produce was exported, it should be certified by recognised international bodies.In other words, the farmer intending to export will have his/her farming processes go through inspection by specific certification bodies. These tests are annual and will cover worker health, safety and welfare issues, he explained.It is only after the inspectors are satisfied that you can be certified. One of the minimum requirements is a Global G.A.P Trademark and a set of standards for good agricultural practices).A local agronomist, Leo Maphosa advised farmers in the region to grow crops such as cucumber, egg plant, watermelon, butternut and sweet pepper among other horticulture crops, saying they had a ready market and brought quick returns.
Meanwhile, Chiware told the farmers that ZimTrade would conduct follow up visits to TH individual farms to ascertain areas that it could provide further assistance.The farmers appealed to the government and financial institutions to avail cheap money on the market to finance horticulture.
