Bulawayo, (New Ziana)- The growing demand for agricultural exports such as peas and blueberries in European markets presents a lucrative opportunity for young farmers and by tapping into this sector they can not only boost their incomes but also help generate much needed foreign currency, a local agro expert has said.
In an interview, National Secretary of the Young Farmers Collective (Zimbabwe) John Gadzira, highlighted the vast opportunities available for young farmers to thrive and excel.
“With the global population projected to rise significantly by 2030, the demand for innovative and sustainable farming practices has never been more urgent. In Zimbabwe, young farmers are at the forefront of tackling food security and driving sustainable agricultural solutions,” he said.
Gadzira highlighted the growing demand in European markets for agricultural produce, saying that this presented a major opportunity for young farmers.
ZimTrade, Zimbabwe’s national trade development agency, has actively promoted horticulture exports as a high-growth sector for local farmers.
The agency highlights rising demand for Zimbabwean produce such as citrus, blueberries, peas, and flowers in regional (SADC) and international markets (especially the EU, UK, and Middle East). Gadzira, however, lamented the persistent lack of funding, noting that many agricultural graduates struggle to access affordable loans due to a lack of collateral.
“This sector holds immense potential to generate foreign currency for the country, but limited financing remains a critical barrier to scaling production. “Many of us are agriculture graduates from top institutions, yet we face challenges in securing land and collateral to qualify for loans or financial support,” he said.
He urged the government to provide affordable loans, emphasizing that young farmers are eager to revolutionise the agricultural sector.
“Despite these challenges, young farmers are embracing modern techniques like precision agriculture and climate-smart farming,” he said.
Gadzira also highlighted how smallholder farmers are shifting from subsistence farming to innovative approaches, including community-based irrigation schemes and contract farming.
“As the sector evolves, young farmers will take charge in innovation and sustainability. We are the visionaries of tomorrow—driving community engagement, technological adoption, and sustainable practices in Zimbabwe’s agriculture,” Gadzira said.
He stressed that by adopting sustainable methods, creating jobs, and leveraging modern technology, young farmers can elevate the industry to new heights.
Zimbabwe aims to become a self-sufficient, climate-resilient, and export-oriented agricultural powerhouse by achieving zero hunger through increased production of staple crops (maize, wheat) and diversified diets (horticulture, legumes).
The country is also looking forward to expanding high-value exports such as citrus, blueberries, macadamia to regional and global markets, including the EU and China markets.
New Ziana
