Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
VICE PRESIDENT Dr Constantino Chiwenga has called on the Government and its partners to build the capacity of horticulture farmers so they increase their annual contribution to national Gross Domestic Product.
He was speaking yesterday during a tour of high-impact projects in Beitbridge, which include the new US$30 million Orange Ville citrus project at the Bishopstone Estate, the Nottingham Estate, and the Palm River Special Economic Zone project.
The VP said production levels in the horticulture sector are gradually rising, calling for more investment in the area. More farmers are now taking up opportunities in citrus production, and Beitbridge is taking the lead in the sector.
“These projects that I have visited have clearly demonstrated that the citrus business has now moved from everywhere in the country to Beitbridge,” he said.
The VP said production levels in the horticulture sector are gradually rising, calling for more investment in the area. More farmers are now taking up opportunities in citrus production, and Beitbridge is taking the lead in the sector.
“The infrastructure I have seen here exceeds what we have seen before; all the variables are here for things to work. The only thing we need to look at as the Government and the private sector is how to bring water to grow this industry.”
VP Chiwenga said there is a need to develop water infrastructure, adding that the Government is happy with what is happening in Beitbridge, where at Nottingham Estate, the owners have built a dam and are increasing hectarage from 950 hectares to 1,500 hectares.
“This is what we want to see; all the farmers here should sit down and expand the projects to incorporate the (Agriculture) 8.0 policy developed by the Ministry of Agriculture,” he said.
VP Chiwenga emphasised that established commercial farmers should embrace the out-grower schemes and contract farming, adding that they should share knowledge and skills with communities to ensure rural transformation.
On its part, the Government will step in and invest in water infrastructure to boost production in citrus projects.
Vice-President Chiwenga flanked by (from left) Deputy Minister of Agriculture Vangelis Haritatos, Matabeleland South Minister of State Albert Nguluvhe and Mr Brandon Park, a representative of Orange Ville Private Limited, tour the new US$30 million project in Beitbridge yesterday. — Picture by Thupeyo Muleya
Orange Ville representative, Mr Brandon Park, said they had invested US$30 million in their new project.
“We have assembled a processing plant and put 700 hectares under citrus, and our target is to have at least 3,000 hectares under citrus by the year 2030. At the moment, we have put in a processing plant capable of handling up to 90,000 tonnes of oranges per season, and we hope to increase this to 200,000 tonnes by the year 2030,” he said.
Nottingham Estate general manager Mr Mark Elliot said they have invested in two dams with a carrying capacity of 800 million cubic metres of water and a 5-megawatt solar plant to boost production. Presently, the company employs 550 people, the bulk from Beitbridge, and the number rises to nearly 1,300 during the harvesting season in winter.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said the completion of the 63km Zhovhe to Beitbridge water canal will go a long way in boosting agricultural development in Beitbridge. He said the project will benefit commercial and communal farmers engaged in various projects, including citrus production on the route of the canal.
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