Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. ZIMBABWE’S horticulture sector is recording impressive growth, according to the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry.
Ministry secretary Obert Jiri said the latest crop and livestock assessment showed that horticulture was performing well, largely due to its reliance on irrigation.
“From our last crop assessment, we saw that horticulture is performing very well,” he said.
“It is not largely affected by drought because, ordinarily, it is produced under irrigation.”
Jiri said Zimbabwe was producing enough key horticultural crops to meet national demand and reduce dependency on imports.
“We are seeing more and more farmers coming on board,” he said.
“We are no longer importing potatoes, cabbages or rape because we are producing more than enough.”
The Lands ministry secretary noted that potato production, in particular, has exceeded expectations.
The country requires about 9 750 hectares under potato production annually.
So far, over 5 000 hectares have been planted in the first half of the year, with projections indicating that farmers will cover the remaining hectares in the second half.
“In the second half of the year, we expect farmers to plant more than 4 000 hectares,” Jiri said.
“The demand is especially high in resort areas such as Victoria Falls and farmers are responding.”
He also highlighted a rise in the production of high-value crops such as blueberries, driven by export demand and growing investor confidence in the sector.
“Horticulture remains one of the most promising sectors. Blueberries, in particular are on the rise due to increased export markets,” said Jiri.
Government has pledged continued support for the horticultural sub-sector through irrigation infrastructural development, technical assistance and enhanced market access.
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