Crates of freshly harvested tomatoes leave Mutore Village every week, bound for Mbare Musika in Harare. For members of the Shingai Horticulture Agriculture Producer Group in Maramba 1 Ward 6 of Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe District, each delivery is evidence that smallholder farmers can successfully compete in commercial horticulture when they work together and have access to reliable markets. The group has received training on financial literacy, business development, group governance as well as market led horticulture production.
The 30-member group is making significant strides in commercial tomato production, supplying fresh produce to Mbare Musika, Zimbabwe’s largest agricultural market in Harare. To date, the farmers have marketed approximately 14.8 tonnes of tomatoes, demonstrating the potential of organised smallholder production to meet urban market demand.
In another milestone, the group recently secured an off-taker agreement with a leading retail supermarket chain, opening up a more reliable and potentially lucrative market for their produce. The agreement is expected to strengthen the group’s income while providing members with greater market certainty.
Established in 2020, the producer group comprises 23 women and seven men, reflecting the important role women play in horticultural production and rural livelihoods. The group is also promoting inclusive development, with 12 youth members and two Persons with Disabilities actively participating in production and marketing activities.
Despite relying on a seasonal water source for irrigation, the farmers have managed to maintain production and consistently supply quality tomatoes to the market. However, the availability of water remains one of the key constraints limiting year-round production and expansion.
To address these challenges, the group is among several Agriculture Producer Groups selected to receive a matching grant under the Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP). The grant will support investments aimed at improving the group’s enterprise, including strengthening irrigation infrastructure, enhancing production efficiency, and increasing their capacity to supply high-value markets consistently.
The anticipated improvements are expected to enable the farmers to extend their production season, increase volumes, improve product quality, and generate higher incomes for member households.
The success of the Shingai Horticulture Agriculture Producer Group illustrates how organised smallholder farmers, supported through market-oriented interventions and strategic investments, can transform horticulture into a viable and profitable business. Their journey also demonstrates the impact of linking farmers to structured markets while empowering women, youth and vulnerable groups to participate in commercial agriculture. As the group prepares for its next phase of growth, members remain optimistic that the forthcoming investments will help them scale up production and establish themselves as a dependable supplier of fresh tomatoes to formal markets across Zimbabwe
