Zimbabwe fruit produce gets global limelight in Berlin fair

On the bustling floor of Fruit Logistica, amidst a global panorama of fresh produce, the Zimbabwean stand stands out. It is the second day of the prestigious trade fair, and the atmosphere here is one of quiet confidence and tangible ambition. The participants are not only here to secure orders for their own companies but to champion a transformative agricultural movement unfolding back home: the empowerment of smallholder farmers.

At the heart of this mission is Takura, represented by its director, Mr William Zirebwa. “Takura is now a fully-fledged registered company,” Mr Zirebwa explains, standing proudly by displays of vibrant produce. The enterprise began with support from Unki Mine, now part of Valterra Platinum, but its vision is distinctly its own.

“Our mandate is to improve livelihoods within our communities, and we see horticulture exports as something which can help accelerate that goal.” Takura’s model is a sophisticated outgrower scheme currently supporting around 200 smallholders in the Shurugwi and Gweru areas, with plans to expand to a thousand. Crucially, 70 percent of these farmers are women. “Horticulture allows them to do much better.

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We allocate about 0,1 hectare to a farmer, needing 5 people for the activities, and they can make a net profit of over a thousand dollars in four months. With three cycles, that’s transformative income for a communal farmer.”

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