Horticultural exports bloom on Govt policies

HORTICULTURE export earnings will more than double to US$143 million from the US$64 million realised last year after Government implemented policies that have revived the horticultural space.

Last year, Government launched a US$30 million Horticulture Export Revolving Fund (HERF) to enhance the horticulture sector’s contribution to the growth of the country’s export earnings and economic growth.

The fund is supported through the Special Drawing Rights funds the country received from the International Monetary Fund last year.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Dr John Basera said the funding was basically focusing on supporting horticultural farmers and those involved in exports.

Dr Basera gave blueberries as an example of the horticultural crop where Zimbabwe could expand production, this being a high value crop that suited the Zimbabwean climatic conditions.

“We are going for growth and we are getting there and this horticulture export development fund will help to upscale our numbers in the horticulture export space,” he said.

“Another upcoming value chain is the blueberries. In 2016 we had zero hectares of blueberries but now we are talking of 400ha.

“We are targeting about 470ha this year of blueberries and this is a very high value crop. But what is so exciting is that as Zimbabwe we do endow good geographical and climatic advantages. We get on to the blueberry market four weeks early and we get the early worm — the best price, but we also last for an extended period of about two to three weeks at the other end of the season.”

Zimbabwe’s climate allows the country to get the best from the blueberry market and the horticulture is going for growth.

Last year, 4 700 tonnes of horticulture produce were exported to Europe, the Middle East and other markets and there are plans to increase by 6 500 tonnes by the end of this year.

High-quality fresh vegetables and fruit often need to be airlifted to get to markets while still fresh, and so need to be of highvalue to justify the costs.

Last week, Horticultural Development Fund chief executive officer Mrs Linda Nielsen said farmers had remained reluctant to take up loans citing stiff borrowing terms by banks.

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