Story by Providence Maraneli
MATABELELAND South is rapidly positioning itself as a rising citrus production hub, as the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) Antelope Estate expands its horticultural portfolio in line with national agricultural transformation goals.
Once regarded as a largely dry and marginalised region, Matabeleland South is now attracting growing agricultural investment, with new commercial farming activities reshaping its economic outlook.
The province has already recorded significant gains in winter wheat production, with ARDA Antelope cultivating about 700 hectares this season. Building on this momentum, the estate has now ventured into citrus production as part of efforts to diversify output and maximise land utilisation.
“We have planted 20 hectares of citrus as a trial, and we would like to expand that every season, to utilise every piece of land that we have. We hope to build the citrus production to about 200 hectares. If the trial passes, we will have citrus in all our farms around,” ARDA Estates Farmer, Mr Dean Leroux said.
The initiative is expected to contribute towards Zimbabwe’s national target of producing 150 000 metric tonnes of citrus this year, with new entrants into the sector seen as critical in boosting output and strengthening export capacity.
Agricultural authorities in the province say the expanding citrus value chain is a sign of growing investor confidence and improved production conditions supported by government policy interventions.
“We are having an upward trend in citrus production in Matabeleland South because of the conducive environment that has been put by the government. We are quite impressed by new farmers like Dean, who has started citrus production on a large scale. We have witnessed the establishment of value addition plants which will also benefit from these new players,” Provincial Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Mrs Shupikai Sibanda said.
Industry growth in the province has also been driven by established estates such as Nottingham and Bishopstone, alongside emerging players like Zhovhe Citrus Estate, which reportedly produced over 500 tonnes in its maiden season.
With ARDA Antelope now entering the citrus sector, stakeholders say Matabeleland South is steadily consolidating its position as a key agricultural and agro-processing centre, with strong potential to contribute to national economic growth through export-led horticulture.
