Greener Journal of Social Sciences

Greener Journal of  Social Sciences Vol. 4 (3), pp. 085-093, March 2014

  ISSN: 2276-7800 © 2011 GJSS

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 012414062

 

Assessment of Market Potential for Horticultural Produce for Smallholder Farmers around Mutare City, Eastern Zimbabwe

 

Clayton Mashapa¹*, Elton Mudyazvivi², Patience Mhuriro-Mashapa³, Tawona Matenda¹, Wonder Mufunda⁴, Lighton Dube⁵,

Patience Zisadza-Gandiwa⁶, Bertha Mashayamombe⁷,

Edson Gandiwa⁸ and Never Muboko⁸

 

¹Caritas International, Zimbabwe, Catholic Diocese of Mutare, Private Bag 877, Mutare, Zimbabwe.

²Netherlands Development Organisation, SNV Zimbabwe Office, 6 Caithness Road, Eastlea, Harare, Zimbabwe.

³Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 167, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.

⁴Caritas International, Zimbabwe, National Office, Africa Synod House, corner Fourth Street and Selous Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe.

⁵Faculty of Commerce and Law, Zimbabwe Open University, National Office, P. O Box MP 111, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.

⁶Transfrontier Conservation Areas Office, Parks and Wildlife Management Authority,

P.O. Box CY 140, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe.

⁷Department of Agriculture and Extension Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Machanisation and Irrigation Development, P O. Box 842, Mutare, Zimbabwe.

⁸Department of Wildlife and Safari Management, Chinhoyi University of Technology,

Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe.

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: clayiemashapa @ yahoo. co. uk, Mobile: +263 772 59 17 17

Abstract:

We carried out a market assessment to understand horticulture market dynamics around Mutare City, eastern Zimbabwe. We used the value chain development approach of starting from understanding what the market wants then using information gathered to inform producers of horticultural produce. This approach is underpinned by market-led production concept. Our study results highlighted opportunities for the participation of smallholder farmers in the horticulture sub-sector value chain; it provides horticulture market intelligence to smallholder farmers as to which crops to grow, when and for which market niche. There are opportunities for smallholder farmers to fill the identified horticultural produce demand gap around Mutare City, eastern Zimbabwe. Smallholder farmers could capitalize on the opportunity of horticulture produce scarcity that exists across Mutare City, so as to engage in market-led horticulture production. Our study contributes to a knowledge base of horticulture value chain development around Mutare City, eastern Zimbabwe and related areas aimed at economic development and peri-urban and urban household poverty reduction, which involves addressing the major constraints and opportunities faced between farmers and traders at marketing systems along the given horticultural value chain.

Keywords: smallholder farmer, horticulture, market-led production, peri-urban, urban, Mutare City.

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