Horticultural buyers dominate merchants registered by AMA
Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
MORE than 1 300 merchants were registered with the state-owned Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) last year as Zimbabwe expands its farming produce trading systems.
Presenting the trading review report in Harare this Wednesday, AMA Agribusiness Director Mr Jonathan Mukuruba said the registered merchants played an important role in purchasing farm produce and identifying strategic local markets for growers.
“Indeed over 1300 merchants were registered by AMA in 2023, this reflects the willingness of buyers to take part in agro-business markets thereby making it easy for farmers to sell their produce and provide that platform for efficient trading, so by registering the buyers assure the farmers of ready markets as opposed to unscrupulous traders,” he said.
Mr Mukuruba further revealed that more than US$21 000 has been realised from village business units through market linkages under the Presidential Rural Development Programme.
He added, “So far more than US$21 000 has been realised from the 134 village business units set up across the country. AMA has been mandated with scouting for markets which informs production at the thriving units.”
AMA is mandated by the government to regulate agricultural production in Zimbabwe.
