Zimbabwe: Govt targets $143m horticulture exports
At its peak, Zimbabwe produced 18,400 tonnes of cut flowers, 14,200 tonnes of vegetables and 45,000 metric tonnes of fruits. Last year, Germany expressed interest to import 15 horticultural crops from Zimbabwe, a development likely to earn the country millions of dollars in foreign currency, as the demand for organic crops and Biotech-free cotton increases on the international market.
Government is targeting to surpass the $143 million mark from horticultural export proceeds next year after extending the sector to Command Agriculture Scheme.
The country earned $143 million in 1999 at the peak of the sector and authorities feel the figure can be exceeded on the back of Command Agriculture support.
This comes as the country is moving towards reviving the once thriving sector, which has taken a nose dive over the past years.
Putting horticulture under Command Agriculture Scheme is expected to bring back the sector to its former glory as well as penetrate new markets.
Command Horticulture will entail the growing of vegetables, fruits, macadamia nuts and flowers.
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