Story by Jerald Sasa
LOCAL authorities have been urged to invest in mass market infrastructure as they are the hubs of agricultural produce markets.
It is supposed to be the hub of agricultural produce, but the Dombotombo Market owned by the Marondera Municipality has suffered from years of neglect and now resembles a disused mine.
A visit to the market by a team led by Knowledge Transfer Africa and Permaculture Centre, organisations advocating for recognition of mass markets, revealed a sad state of affairs at the area whose infrastructure is dilapidated.
“We want this market to be rehabilitated as the situation is sad,” said a vendor.
Another vendor said, “There are no toilets here while some people are actually using this as their accommodation.”
Organising and coordinating agroecology production and mass food market supplies are key drivers for agriculture production and socio-economic development.
Knowledge Transfer Africa representative, Clever Mukove said, “If you look at the state of this market you can see that the council has neglected it for years.”
“We want crops especially those produced locally to be sold at these markets, but they need our support,” said Permaculture Centre representative, Kudzanai Mashingaidze
The Dombotombo market which services the whole town of Marondera has no proper facilities and shelter for visiting farmers from the whole of Mashonaland East and some parts of Manicaland who come to sell their produce.
