Matabeleland Farmers urged to venture into horticulture

Farmers in Matabeleland region have been urged to venture into horticulture to be able to supply buyers in Victoria Falls and Hwange who are believed to be ordering vegetables from as far as Harare.

Agriculture Rural Development Authority (ARDA) Board Chairperson, Basil Nyabadza, expressed concern that hotels, supermarkets and other food outlets in Victoria Falls and Hwange order vegetables from as far as Harare, when farmers in the region can take advantage of this and create employment opportunities as well generate revenue which will contribute to economic growth in the country.

He urged farmers to look at other means of raising finances for their projects such as partnerships, adding that venturing into horticulture within the region will further reduce the price of vegetables as consumers will incur less transport charges.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union President, Mr. Donald Khumalo, said if there is a shortage of vegetables in Matabeleland region, it could be those that have been affected by the frost such as potatoes and tomatoes, but he also expressed concern that hotels in Victoria Fall have a central buying system that forces them to buy vegetables through their company headquarters in Harare, marginalising farmers from other regions.

Umguza Irrigation Farmers Association Chairperson, Mr. Gibbons Gumede, said farmers in his district concentrate more on horticulture ruled the issue of price competition saying his farmers have enough capacity to supply buyers in the two towns who are believed to have contracts with farmers from Harare.

Farmers in Umguza District which is the bread basket of the region specialise in horticulture but most of the vegetables like in many other parts of the country have been hit by frost.