Targeted horticulture projects for selected irrigation sites soon

GOVERNMENT is set to introduce targeted horticulture projects at selected irrigation sites in an effort to revive fruit, flowers and vegetable production in the Midlands province.

In an interview, Midlands Provincial Agritex Officer Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi said her department had already started citing potential irrigation sites across the province for the setting up of horticulture projects.

She said the programme would commence early next year.

“In line with the economic blueprint, ZimAsset, and Command Agriculture, the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development seeks to expand various agricultural facets, hence the revival of horticulture,” said Mrs Magwenzi.

‘‘We are in the process of identifying potential sites where there are existing water bodies and so far Insukamini Irrigation Scheme in Lower Gweru has been listed as one of the first areas to start horticulture production.”

Mrs Magwenzi said farmers would be trained on horticulture farming to capacitate them on skills.

“This is expected to boost Command Irrigation and infrastructural development, with farmers having an opportunity to be trained in production and processing of the high value crops,” she said.

The country used to be one of the largest exporters of a wide range of horticultural products in Africa, supplying overseas markets, including Europe and the Middle East.

For instance, citrus exports peaked in 2001 at 45 000 tonnes, being 60 percent of fresh produce output.

Zimbabwe also became a valuable exporter of cut flowers, and by 2001, it ranked as the second largest in Africa, behind Kenya, second among African, Caribbean and Pacific exporters, and was the fifth biggest exporter to the European Union.

Production has been falling, with the country now importing a number of horticultural products.