Zimpapers empowers smallholder farmers

Lynn Murahwa in MUTOKO

OVER 400 smallholder horticulture farmers and agriculture sector stakeholders converged on the Gohori Resort for the Zimpapers Smallholder Horticulture Seminar on Friday.

The indaba sought to address critical challenges faced by farmers and provide insights on how they can propel their businesses towards sustainable growth and commercial success.

“The event was overly subscribed, indicating a high level of interest and participation from the stakeholders and attendees,” said Zimpapers public relations and communications manager (Digital and Publishing Division) Mrs Pauline Matanda.

“It’s clear that the conference served as an important platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the smallholder horticulture sector.

“The conference was part of Zimpapers’ contribution to the development of the country’s agro-based economy, with focus on levelling the playing field for smallholder horticulture farmers, who often struggle to break even after producing and selling their crops.”

Presentations at the seminar tackled pertinent issues faced by smallholder horticulture farmers, including market access limitations and navigating the complexities of achieving sustainable practices, said Mrs Matanda.

“Emphasis was placed on aligning these efforts with Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) — Zero Hunger,” she said.

“By equipping farmers with the knowledge and resources to cultivate high-quality produce and connect with reliable markets, the seminar directly contributes to SDG2’s goal of achieving food security and improved nutrition.”

Representatives from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development; Standards Association of Zimbabwe; Mutoko Rural District Council; Agricultural Marketing Authority; AFC Holdings; Agricultural and Rural Development Authority; Kutsaga; Horticulture Development Council; ZimTrade; Zimbabwe Farmers Union; Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange; Fair Mark; Bayer and the Plant Quarantine and Seed Inspectorate made presentations during the seminar.

The event was a valuable platform for fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

Participants gained insights into essential processes and services available to elevate their small-scale operations into thriving commercial enterprises.