Business Reporter
ZIMTRADE is concerned with declining export earnings from horticulture and is equipping new farmers with skills to boost the sector, the organisation’s regional manager for Matabeleland, Mr Crispen Tsvarai, has said.
“Since 2007, ZimTrade has taken note of the disturbing decline in exports of this sector and has purposefully taken it upon itself to intervene and help arrest this trend. To this end the major point of entry for ZimTrade has been to fill the knowledge gap left by the old farmers," he said.
He said between 1986 and 1999, export earnings from horticulture grew by about 20 percent a year.From 1999 the country’s export earnings dwindled drastically.“In 1999, the country’s export receipts from the sector amounted to US$142 million and US$24 million last year, reflecting a fall of 83 percent.
“On the contrary, global market for fruits, vegetables and flowers has been growing significantly. The world market for edible fruits and vegetables grew by an average of 12 percent per annum and nine percent for flowers,” he said.
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