Fungayi Munyoro-Chingaira

CHIPINGE – Some 35 farmers have so far registered for the pineapple farming, market linkage and value addition indaba that will take place at a local lodge in Chipinge on June 28, 2023.

The one-day workshop was organised by the Chipinge Chamber of Micro, Small to Medium Enterprises pineapple cluster to link local farmers with various local, regional and international markets.
Chipinge is a producer of pineapples. The production is over 1 500 tonnes per year, and the fruits are sold to Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and other cities. Over US$1. 5 million is earned per year.

One of the key objectives of the workshop is to address the Value Addition to the fruits. The expected value addition will involve teaching farmers to do organic farming, grading and packaging of the fruits, the need to dry other pineapples to shelve life, branding and certification from the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) on products. Understanding standards required during handling and processing and the need for equipment as commercial driers.

Chipinge Chamber of SMEs secretary general Isee Zihwi said registered farmers are from Mutare, Hippo Valley, Chimanimani and Chipinge.
Speakers are from various stakeholder organisations, including the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), Zimtrade, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and Community and Small and Medium Enterprises Development.