Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s horticultural sector is experiencing a quiet revolution, driven by small-scale farmers who last year exported over 250 tonnes of peas—primarily to European markets. This marks a major turnaround for a once-struggling industry now showing strong signs of recovery, thanks to local support initiatives and renewed international interest.
At the heart of this transformation is Kuminda, a local agribusiness firm that partners with and finances smallholder farmers to meet international export standards.
In an interview with the media, recently Kuminda’s Chief Executive Officer, Clarence Mwale, confirmed the scale of the progress, noting that the company facilitated the export of over 250 tonnes of peas in 2024 and expects to triple that figure to 750 tonnes this year.
“Small-scale farmers are embracing the sector, and we’re seeing the results. Last year alone, we managed to export over 250 tonnes of peas to the EU. The industry is registering significant growth through our collaborative efforts to uplift rural livelihoods and boost the horticultural sector,” said Mwale.
The sector’s rebound comes at a crucial time for Zimbabwe, as the nation continues to seek avenues for earning foreign currency.
Economist, Persistence Gwanyanya highlights horticulture’s growing importance to the national economy.
“The country is in dire need of foreign currency, and the horticultural sector has become a bright spot. Its year-on-year growth is a testament to the concerted efforts by government and private stakeholders to revitalise agriculture and broaden the country’s export base,” he explained.
This growth is not happening in isolation. Zimbabwe’s deepening cooperation with the European Union is helping to open new doors for horticultural products. The EU has identified horticulture as a strategic sector, with the upcoming EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum set to further harness the sector’s potential by promoting investment, technical support, and trade partnerships.
Beyond the numbers, the revival of the horticulture industry is having a tangible impact on rural communities. Increased export earnings are improving household incomes, creating employment, and encouraging more smallholder farmers to transition into commercial export farming.
With growing international demand for high-value crops like peas, coupled with government support and private sector backing, Zimbabwe’s small-scale farmers are emerging as unlikely champions of a new agricultural era one rooted in resilience, innovation, and global ambition.
