ZimTrade, COLEAD rescue pineapple farmers
ZIMBABWE’S trade promotion body, ZimTrade has brokered a lucrative deal in which the Committed Linking Entrepreneurship Agriculture Development (COLEAD) will directly assist pineapple farmers in Chimanimani to grow high quality organic produce for the international market.
The pineapples will be exported to Netherlands and other European Union markets for the next three years.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was inked on Wednesday between COLEAD and Rusitu Valley Fruit Growers and Marketing Trust (RVFGMT), which represents more than 2 000 farmers who are involved in the production of an assortment of horticultural produce.
The deal will immediately benefit 200 pineapple farmers who will get capacity development, technical assistance and marketing linkage.
The MOU lays out a plan for the farmers to work together with COLEAD to improve fruit culture and promote sustainable land management.
The farmers will primarily focus on specific strategies to cultivate, improve quality and yield of pineapples.
ZimTrade’s Eastern Region manager, Mr Admire Jongwe said they will continue scouting for foreign markets for local produce which will help to bring the much-needed foreign currency to the country.
He said Netherlands has been supporting more farmers in Rusitu Valley to grow organic pineapples for export to the lucrative European market.
Mr Jongwe said the certifying team will soon be in the country to certify the pineapple farmers.
After the certification, they will be eligible to export to European Union.
He said all products’ specification and procedures must be strictly adhered to.
“The farmers have undergone three audits so far for the international certification for organic agriculture, and we are looking forward to having them certified again by the end of this month.
ZimTrade links farmers to potential local, regional and international partners that can offer capacity development, technical assistance and market linkages.
The farmers have signed an MOU in which 200 pineapple farmers will receive capacity development and technical assistance from COLEAD for the next three years. COLEAD will assist them to grow high quality organic pineapple for the export market. Pineapple is a niche product, and there is need to assist and equip the farmers with requisite skills to produce high quality organic produce for export. The buyer is ready to import organic pineapples from Zimbabwe, hence the capacity development to assist them to meet requirements to export organic pineapples to Netherlands.
“If the farmers consolidate, they can export a significant tonnage of organic pineapples,” he said.
COLEAD official, Mr William Zirebwa said the initiative is meant to help the community to meet international market demands for organic pineapples.
“This programme helps the farmers to meet the organic produce standard requirements for the international market. We have guidelines which are the same as UN to help farmers to gain access to the global market, which translates to profits. We also have an action plan to address issues like training of the trustees and quality assurance to avoid the use of chemicals, which is not allowed,” he said.
One of the farmers, Mr Nyaudzai Ndiadzo expressed optimism about the future of their farming enterprises, given the support to help them achieve their goals.
“We will work tirelessly, focus on our work and adhere to the stipulated policy to supply the international market with the best organic produce.
“In 2021, we supplied 370 tonnes, in 2022 we increased that to 869 tonnes, and with the support, the sky is the limit,” he said.