‘Boost citrus production to build economy’
There is a strong need for Government and partners to invest more and to build the capacity of citrus farmers for them to increase their annual contribution to the national economy.
In an interview during the tour of the Beitbridge citrus project recently, Secretary for Industry and Commerce, Dr Mavis Sibanda, said it was very critical to increase production levels in the sector.
At the moment production levels in horticulture are reportedly below 5 percent and the Government is targeting to increase Gross Domestic Products (GDP) contributions to over 10 percent.
Dr Sibanda said citrus had the great potential to turn around the Matabeleland South economy and also feed into the national fiscus.
At the moment, in Beitbridge, some companies and communal farmers are carrying out citrus production on 3000 hectares.
“As the Government, we are happy with what is happening at citrus plantations in the Beitbridge District. These have a ready market at the Schweppes’ Beitridge Juice Plant,” she said.
“The plant processes the fruits into juice, oils, stock feeds, and other related products for the international and local markets.
“It is important that we build the capacity of most farmers so that we don’t only produce fruits for the local market only but also for the export markets.
“We must add value and produce standardised products which can compete effectively on any market and earn the country the much-needed foreign currency”.
Dr Sibanda said the country’s southern region was very conducive for citrus production and hence the need to increase production levels at existing and new ventures.
She said already Schweppes was in the midst of setting up 4000 hectares of citrus greenfield plantation to augment feedstock at the Beitbridge Juice plant and the export market.
Adding value to citrus products, Dr Sibanda said, will not only bring more money to the country but will come with more related industries and create jobs for Zimbabweans.
“We are happy with the state of affairs in this region and the fact that Schweppes is supporting the community here. They employ the majority of their labour from the Beitbridge community.
If we can increase production levels in this value chain, we can have more jobs and economic development opportunities within Zimbabwe,” she said.
It is understood that the country used to do 10 000 hectares of citrus farming and currently, the land has dwindled to around 5000 hectares and citrus production has shifted from the northern part (Mazowe) to the southern part (Beitbridge) of the country.
Dr Sibanda said at the moment the Beitbridge Juice plant was struggling to meet its target of processing 40 000 tonnes of citrus products per season annually.
Schweppes’ managing director, Charles Msipa, said this year alone they will process 25 000 tonnes of oranges into various products.
“We are now doing the business cade and fundraising for the investment capital of US$20 million,” he said.
“Our expectations are that we will have put together the money by the end of the year.
From then we can start land preparation on part of the 4000 hectares and set up irrigation and relevant infrastructure”.
Msipa said they expect to start with 700 hectares and put the first trees in February 2024.
“We are completing the business case as well as capital raise phase and are targeting a plantation of between 500 and 700 hectares in size,” he added.
The plan, Msipa said was to start with clearing the ground and layout and design and the relevant infrastructure next year.
The company expects first planting will be in February 2024.
Msipa said they have been having consultations and engagements with communities around the area they intend to set up the citrus greenfield plantation.
This, he said, was being done so that they establish the project with a common understanding that citrus production is an all-inclusive business.
Currently, they are processing oranges, lemons, and grapefruit into various by-products including juice and oils and stock feeds.-ebusinessweekly
