Zimpapers Logo

Edgar Vhera Agriculture Specialist Writer

WITH most farmers heading towards the conclusion of the season and the subsequent sale of produce, experts have urged them adopt mechanisms that allow them to save their earnings and venture into the lucrative export business and move away with subsistence farming.

Agriculturist and Tobacco Farmers Union Trust vice president Mr Edward Dune made the call noting that farmers lacked planning for dry months in which they do not have incomes.

“As we go to the last half of the rainfall season, farmers must prepare for the autumn/winter seasons by trying to produce lucrative horticulture products for export.

“Products like baby corn, mangetout and sugar snap are easy to grow and well-paying but they need one to be aware of the market needs,” said Mr Dune.

Horticulture, unlike other summer crops needs adherence to certain quality standards as specified under global good agricultural practices (GAP).

Therefore, in horticulture it is crucial to first do the market scan before embarking on production. Horticulture also requires adherence to use of approved chemicals, fertilisers and chemicals. Horticulture farmers must also pay particular attention to maximum residue levels (MRL) to guarantee consumer health.

“With farmers’ incomes coming at the end of the summer season, they need to plan to manage their yearly expenses from this once-off receipt. Horticulture exports can catapult farmers from subsistence to commercial levels,” added Mr Dune.

However, Mr Dune called upon those from who produced under Government projects not to be overexcited by the huge windfall from their crop sales and forget to pay off their loans.

“Graduation from subsistence to commercial production requires farmers to use their earnings wisely for sustained production and lessen the burden on Government by eliminating hand-outs,” continued Mr Dune.

The country now has consultants who offer GAP services at minimal costs.

The Horticultural Development Council (HDC) has set as a priority, the development of the horticulture production database, as well as incorporation of smallholders into horticulture through out-grower schemes.

To date out-grower schemes have been established for peas, chilli, macadamia and citrus value chains among others.

However, many smallholder farmers have been complaining that the affiliation fees for them to be members under any of the associations under HDC were prohibitive.

In response, HDC chief executive officer Mrs Linda Nielsen said only US$250 or its local currency equivalent was required per annum for exporters and non-exporters alike.

Incorporation of smallholder farmers is crucial, as buyers at international markets are very concerned over production methods used especially by small-scale producers.