Story by Gay Matambo
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the horticulture industry, with a focus on easing the cost of doing business and boosting export-led growth.
This follows a visit by Vice President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga to horticultural and tea estates in Manicaland Province on Friday, where he toured Matanuska Banana Estate in Burma Valley.
The visit comes as Government implements the Horticulture and Growth Recovery Plan aimed at revitalising the sector.
Addressing stakeholders after the tour, Vice President Dr Chiwenga highlighted the need to reduce the tax and regulatory burden affecting farmers.
“The farmers have constructed their dams, but we are noticing that they are paying high taxes, whereas they have put up the dams for them to irrigate. The levies are extraordinarily high. We are trying to remove these unnecessary levies for the ease of doing business. Some are being overlevied. This is now a frustrating expansion prospect,” he said.
The Vice President said engagements with farmers across the country have shown that the horticulture sector has the potential to exceed current production targets.
“The private sector has a lot of ideas very innovative, very progressive ideas to grow this industry, but what I have discovered from Beitbridge to where we are today is that we can exceed the targets set for the horticultural sector. We have visited orange, banana, and avocado estates. They can beat that target, which is set, and this can be done once we get their ideas, see where their problems are, and assist them in solving them,” he said.
Matanuska Banana Estate, working in partnership with outgrowers in Burma Valley, has established a strong production model, with about 60 percent of its produce exported to South Africa.
A representative of Matanuska Farms, Mr Richard Chivandire, said the visit had provided valuable insights for scaling up operations.
“The visit by the Vice President has been an eye-opener. We have ambitious targets to contribute towards the country’s horticulture recovery plan. Our plan is to scale up our banana turnover eight times over the next five years,” he said.
Banana outgrower Mrs Lucy Mbetsa said the partnership model has improved productivity and market access.
“We partnered with Matanuska because that’s the way to go in line with government’s joint venture initiative. We were not productive because we didn’t have the knowledge on how to grow bananas. We have also benefited from ready markets facilitated by Matanuska,” she said.
Vice President Dr Chiwenga also toured tea estates in Chipinge District, noting the crop’s importance as a consistent export earner.
The visit forms part of Government’s efforts to monitor agricultural and industrial progress, ensuring projects contribute to economic growth and improved livelihoods.
