Story by Jerold Sasa
A Goromonzi-based farmer has taken a significant step in agricultural value addition by acquiring a buckwheat hulling machine to process his harvest into market-ready products.
The hulling machine, worth US$150 000, automates the removal of chaff from buckwheat seeds, enabling the production of instant cereal porridge, noodles, stock feed, flour, and other goods.
Mr Pardon Mugari, one of Zimbabwe’s leading buckwheat farmers, made the investment to enhance the nutritional and commercial value of the crop.
“This crop is highly nutritious because it is rich in protein so this machine will help in value adding,” Mr Mugari said.
The processing plant was officially commissioned by Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo this Friday.
“We really appreciate this investment as it resonates well with the government’s thrust of promoting value addition,” Advocate Ndudzo said.
Value addition in agriculture is crucial for boosting farmer incomes, improving food security, and enhancing sustainability by transforming raw agricultural products into higher-value goods through processing and packaging.
