Developing gender friendly and sustainable fresh produce value chains in Zimbabwe

On Friday 17 May, Q-Point is organising a network event for invited guests with the aim to bring relevant stakeholders together, informing them about the ongoing capacity building programmes in Zimbabwe and creating the opportunity for fresh produce value chain stakeholders to exchange views and ideas for further developing these value chains in the Chinhoyi region and throughout Zimbabwe.

Economic hardship and changes

Despite the great potential of the horticulture sector in Zimbabwe, the country is experiencing large losses in the fruit and vegetable value chains. Zimbabwe has gone through periods of economic hardships and changes brought by the land reform programme expanding over two decades (1999 to present).

With the prolonged periods of lack of export opportunities in Zimbabwe, farmers and educational institutions (universities and (technical) colleges) have lacked real practical exposure in terms of managing value chains in the agri-food products.

Rebuilding agricultural sector

Q-Point is actively contributing to rebuilding Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector by carrying out two Nuffic tailor-made training projects focusing on developing the fresh produce value chains.

Establishment Centre for Post-Harvest Science and Technology

One of the projects, in collaboration with Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), focuses on the establishment of a Centre for Post-Harvest Science and Technology at CUT. By strengthening the educational capacity and building critical skills of staff members, the project aims to empower CUT to promote excellence in terms of quality and productivity.

Training topics are:

• value chain management
• quality management and food safety
• post-harvest management
• value addition
• agro-based entrepreneurship

Implementation GLOBALG.A.P.

In another project, Q-Point offers the Sisonke Ag-Fresh (SAF) farmers group training on value chain management, international quality management, food safety standards (GLOBALG.A.P) and certification.

By delivering GLOBAL G.A.P. consultancy and training services to the SAF farmers group, Q-Point builds capacity at farmer level for internal audits and inspection of QMS. This allows the farmers to become GLOBAL G.A.P. certified, opening doors to export markets.

SAF accounts for approximately 2000 ha.

More information? Mail us at info@q-point-bv.nl.