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Agriculture Reporter

THE Horticultural Development Council (HDC) is committed to cultivating a portfolio of thriving projects that attract green financing, drive down operational costs and foster a resilient and ecological horticulture sector.

HDC chief executive officer Mrs Linda Nielsen told delegates at the just-ended COP29 gathering in Baku, Azerbaijan that the absence of accessible and affordable funding in Zimbabwe was curtailing the growth of the sector.

“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished delegates, today, I am honoured to present on behalf of the Horticulture Development Council (HDC) of Zimbabwe as we continue our journey towards building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable horticulture sector. At the heart of our strategy is the HDC Hub and Spoke Model, which forms the backbone of our approach. This model leverages existing exporters, whether they are aggregators, production units, or pack houses, and connects them with new and smallholder farmers. This inclusive framework aligns with the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP), targeting a US$1 billion industry and synchronising with the Government’s overall growth strategy for sector recovery,” she said.

Mrs Nielsen said the horticulture sector needed strategic models to revitalise it and align it to the current global trends for financing and marketing adding that investment and green financing would truly transform the country’s horticulture sector.

“We need substantial investment in production, value addition and technological development. Key areas of interest include solar energy solutions and climate-smart farming technologies that not only enhance productivity but also ensure sustainability. As experienced exporters, our track record of generating foreign currency is well-established, providing confidence to investors that their capital

will yield returns.

“On the one Hand, strengthening value chains and energy resilience places a strong emphasis on boosting production through partnerships with smallholder farmers. This not only expands our output but also integrates more players into the value chain, enhancing overall sector performance,” she further observed.

The HDC boss hinted that key investment opportunities lay in cold chain and transportation infrastructure adding that cold chain logistics were vital for maintaining the quality of exports and minimising post-harvest losses. She also explained that the sector relies heavily on consistent power supply but many operations were currently depending on generators, especially for cold storage. To address this, she called for the development of decentralised micro-grid systems, with each farm equipped with a 1 MW solar system.

“With green financing, this model can be implemented efficiently, offering a sustainable solution that aligns with our export-driven sector’s needs,” said Mrs Nielsen.

Additionally, Mrs Nielsen revealed that HDC was committed to contributing to climate mitigation through its sector activities in line with climate action and carbon footprint reduction. She said farmers integrated into the Hub and Spoke Model had already shown resilience during climate-related challenges and to further HDC’s environmental commitment, they were developing a carbon project, designed to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the sector.

“This project will not only help us minimise our carbon footprint but also position Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector as a leader in climate-smart agriculture. We are pleased to announce our ongoing efforts to secure Green Climate Fund (GCF) financing. We have developed a comprehensive project concept in collaboration with our partners from the UK, showcasing the strength of international partnerships in driving sustainable development.

“However, we now need the global community’s support to move from concept to implementation, unlocking the transformative potential of this initiative,” she said.

Mrs Nielsen called for collaborative investment and challenged investors, development partners, and all stakeholders attending COP29 to join HDC in realising its vision of creating a sustainable future that not only boosts production and exports but also champions environmental stewardship.

“The HDC is poised for a period of significant growth and transformation. By harnessing the power of investment, green financing, and international partnerships, we aim to build a vibrant, climate-resilient horticulture sector in Zimbabwe,” she said.