Christopher Makaza

Foreign companies particularly the Dutch, are keen to partner Zimbabwean farmers, providing expertise and foreign markets citing that Zimbabwean crops are good because of its good soils and favourable climatic conditions. Harare Post has learnt.

Speaking to Harare Post, Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) Executive Director, Mr Paul Zacharia said, “Forty European companies and supermarkets have expressed interest in partnering Zimbabwean farmers for the supply of horticultural products such as peas, baby cones, flowers and citrus fruits.

“The companies came few months ago looking for agriculture opportunities in Zimbabwe. They inspected our farms and products and they were really happy. A lot of hope from our farmers is in the air. We are really happy that the Dutch companies also promised to provide expertise to Zimbabwean small-scale farmers to scale up production and offer a lucrative export markets,” he said.

Mr Zacharia encouraged farmers to supplement the rains through irrigating their crops as the current rains are erratic.

“Currently crops in some parts of the country are generally in good and encouraging state. However, crops in other areas are wilting and need to be irrigated. The current rainfall distribution prevailing countrywide is erratic and our crops still need water,” he said.

Zimbabwe`s agricultural sector continues to receive foreign support and currently the World`s renowned agriculture, construction and heavy equipment manufacturer, John Deere is in talks with the Government with a view to concluding a deal that could see the firm provide agriculture mechanisation equipment worth over US$50 million.