Zimbabwe: Garlic Farmers Take to Global Markets

Smallholder farmers in Gutu Central Constituency who are into garlic production have entered into a partnership with ZimTrade and local seed houses to increase productivity. The arrangement will also see the farmers exporting their produce to international markets. The villagers took up garlic production some three years ago under an initiative led by area legislator, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando. With some households having earned over US$6 000 this year, the next stage is to explore the foreign market through increased production. "Next year we are looking at putting in 15 tonnes worth of seed. If you look at an average production of 7 tonnes per hectarage we are looking at getting 80 tonnes. "We are also looking at getting into partnership with SeedCo so that we utilise over 150 000 hectares. We are also looking at chilli production. This is part of the horticulture program that was launched by his Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa," said ...