Zimtrade and PUM, a Netherlands business support organisation today signed a Mou aimed at enhancing the horticulture industry in the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony chairperson of the ZimTrade Board of Directors, Mr L. Jena said the PUM intervention will positively contribute to wards addressing challenges that are prevalent within the horticulture value chain.
“The intervention will assist to reposition the Zimbabwe horticulture sector, in particular small to medium sized farmers, to become key drivers in the growth of exports,” he said adding that growth in exports will be achieved through knowledge transfer in planting, production, post harvest management, processing as well as linkages to strategic markets.
He said that appropriate interventions will see a positive growth in the horticulture sector which has been on the decline.
“The horticulture sector is a low hanging fruit because of its quick returns. With appropriate interventions, the sector can be turned around for sustainable export growth,” he said.
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The expected results from the intervention include cost effective farming methods, increased yields, production of good quality agricultural produce for export market among other things.
ZimTrade Chief executive officer Ms Sithembile Priscilla Pilime said through the MOU her organisation seeks to address challenges along the horticultural value chain such as: agricultural input management; processing; packaging and labelling as well as production efficiencies.
Netherlands’ Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Gera Sneller applauded the PUM program for returning to Zimbabwe saying the program will enhance the lives of Zimbabweans.
The contribution of horticultural exports reached a pick in 1999/2000 with exports of US$143 million. However this contribution declined to $$US23.5 million in 2014/2015.
However, the Memorandum of Understanding signed by ZimTrade and PUM is projected to increase production in the horticulture sector.
