Staff reporter
Zimbabwe’s aspiration to establish a US$1 billion horticulture export industry by 2030 has been greatly bolstered by a strategic partnership between the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) and Cicada Agriculture, resulting in the construction of an avocado cutting-edge pack house.
Located at the Katiyo Estate in Honde Valley, this advanced facility is set to enhance the country’s avocado production and processing capabilities.
Cicada Agriculture pack house manager, Beverly Wright said Cicada Katiyo has undertaken a major refurbishment project, transforming the old Katiyo Tea factory into a state-of-the-art avocado grading and packing facility.
“This new facility boasts an impressive processing capacity of 4,000 kg per hour, with a cold room capacity of 250 tonnes which will significantly enhance our operational efficiency and support our growing avocado production,” said Wright.
Wright highlighted the substantial progress made in their horticulture endeavors, noting that they had planted 300 hectares of avocados and 250 hectares of macadamia nuts.
“This significant expansion underscores Zimbabwe's immense potential for the horticulture sector`s growth and reflects Cicada Agriculture's commitment to scaling up production to meet international demand.
“This season marked our inaugural venture into avocado exports, during which we successfully shipped 400 tonnes to Europe. Additionally, the prospect of entering the Chinese market looms promisingly on the horizon, spurred by a recent visit by a Chinese delegation,” she stated.
Wright stated that the pack house is poised to support their out-grower program for avocado trees in the Honde Valley area, which is currently in the early stages of development.
“This initiative aims to integrate local farmers into the supply chain, providing them with essential resources and a reliable market for their produce.
“The pack house will play a crucial role in enhancing the productivity and profitability of small-scale farmers, thereby contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of the horticulture sector in the region,” she remarked.
This Global Good Agronomic Practice (Global GAP) certified pack house is only for packing avocado fruits. Its operationalisatio aligns with Cicada Agriculture’s broader vision to expand its out-grower program for avocado trees in the Honde Valley area.
Furthermore, Cicada Agriculture is actively contributing to community welfare by enhancing local health facilities at the local clinic apart from creating employment opportunities for residents.
Meanwhile, statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency indicate a positive trend in avocado exports, rising from 5 million kgs in 2020 to 9 million kgs in 2022. Cicada Katiyo pack house stands as a testament to Zimbabwe's commitment to fostering growth in its horticulture sector, paving the way for a thriving export industry.
