Story by Aifheli Mudau
BEITBRIDGE District is steadily emerging as a key citrus production zone as the Government intensifies efforts to promote the crop as a high-value driver of agricultural growth and export earnings.
Farmers at the Shashe Irrigation Scheme are contributing to the expansion of citrus output, in line with the Second Republic’s objective to increase the national area under citrus cultivation to 8 000 hectares by 2030. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance rural incomes, strengthen food security and grow agricultural exports.
During a visit to the Shashe Orchard, farmers described citrus production as a transformative economic activity that has improved household livelihoods and financial stability.
“These oranges are really helping us even at the family level because after getting money from our orange sales, I now manage to pay fees for my children, including buying food for the whole family,” a farmer said.
“Farming really changed my life because after selling my produce, I managed to take my children to school and upgrade my home,” another farmer said.
The Shashe Orchard leadership says most farmers who are part of the Scheme continue to reap more benefits.
“This Orchard is really helping us a lot because after harvesting and selling the money we get, we pay fees for our children, and again in terms of food security, we are okay because the money we get here can sustain our families,” Shashe Orchard Chairperson, Mr Isaac Tlou said.
“On average, annually we can get around US$250 000, and there is also potential that we can exceed that. In terms of community benefits, the farmers get some payouts which help them,” Shashe Orchard Scheme Manager Mr Godman Moyo said.
Government officials say citrus farming has become a critical pillar of agricultural development in Beitbridge, particularly given its export potential and suitability to the district’s climate.
“We have since realised that these oranges really help our communities, especially here in Shashe, because some youths also get employed here. Parents here pay fees for their children. So our hope as government is to expand this Citrus production as we target export markets,” Beitbridge West Legislator Honourable Thusani Ndou said.
The Citrus production at the Shashe irrigation Scheme comes at a time when the government is encouraging new investments in the sector, particularly in districts like Beitbridge, to drive exports, which increased by 22 % in 2025.
