By Virginia Njovo
Smallholder farmers in Southern Zimbabwe are breaking new ground in their quest for sustainable livelihoods, thanks to a pioneering initiative that brings them face-to-face with the private sector in market dialogues facilitated by the Climate Resilient Livelihoods Project (CRL).
The initiative supported by the Government of Zimbabwe, Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is aimed at promoting inclusive and structured market systems.
On June 26, 2025 farmers in Masvingo District gathered at Makoholi Research Institute where they networked with private sector in the province who are crucial in breaking marketing barriers.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries Water and Rural Development deputy director responsible for Markets and Trade in the Business Development, Market and Trade Directorate, Simba Mupodyi encouraged farmers to practice market oriented production for easy access to markets.
“Farmers should practice market oriented production where they focuse on producing goods and services that meet the demands and needs of the market where demand driven is met, this will help smallholder farmers to increase income ,improved food security as well as enhancing livelihoods by participating in value chains and benefiting from market opportunities.
“These dialogue platforms and engagements present immense opportunities for smallholder farmers, the private sector and the government to co-create market based solutions,” said Mupodya.
Climate Smart Agriculture Expert at CRL project with GCF Dr Nelson Chanza encouraged farmers to be organised, practising group selling as well as being accurate with documentation especially when signing contracts.
“Farmers should be organized where they do collaborative efforts from production stage up to market scouting. We also encourage them to be vigilante to minimize fraudsters who approach them with fake promises,” said Dr Chanza.
Dr Chanza also encourage farmer to have market intelligence that include gathering and analysing data and information about specific market or industry which can help them in making informed decisions about production, marketing and sales.
Hamaruomba Dairy Cooperative Chairperson Christopher Gomerai said the networking opportunity gave them expert and technical knowledge that will be useful in their work.
“I want to thank our partners who assisted us with this technical support and the opportunity which we had today to meet as farmers sharing ideas on how to market our products from local markets up to global markets,” said Gomerai.
Garikai Fruit and Veg Market commonly known as known as Chitima Market Chairperson Martin Shava said every farmer was welcome to sell produce at the market.
“Every farmer is free to come and sell at Chitima, there is no discrimination on where you are coming from,” said Shava.
Over 4 500 farmers in Masvingo are benefitting from the CRL project that focuses on livestock production, small grains production as well as other varied agricultural crops.