By Tadiwa Jery
Agriculture has been the backbone of the Zimbabwean economy for many years, after the economic challenges faced by the majority of the citizens, the number of farmers increased and the government has been empowering them to maximise their potential.
Some residential landowners have even reserved part of their land for farming. Most just grow enough vegetables for daily consumption for their families. Other urban farmers went a step further and are making a living out of selling vegetable produce at their homes.
Those who do not have the time to invest in small scale horticulture end up going to their local supermarkets and street vendors for the produce they need. However, these options are more costly than buying in Harare’s CBD and Mbare musika.
It was the norm for customers to go to Mbare musika when they wanted to buy vegetables at a bargain. After the lockdown that aimed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, transportation has been a problem for most buyers and most farmers adopted new ways of selling their products. Some identified new distribution markets and others invested in door to door deliveries.
Talking to Alphavisionzim, this week, a regular customer at the Ruwa market said that, most farmers based in Marondera, Goromonzi and Bromley who used to sell their produce in Mbare identified Ruwa as a more viable hotspot for selling their fresh produce. The farmers sell their produce at reasonable prices and they always offer fresh produce. They also keep the market clean and well organised, making the shopping experience more enjoyable. Without the use of touts and with taxis located near the area, it makes the market less crowded and the taxis make it more convenient.
Ruwa is not the only hotspot that farmers have identified. On Fridays and weekends, some farmers and farm produce sellers set up their tables at the Avondale shopping center where nearby customers can come and buy their weekly vegetables.
With a large number of people investing in farming and with the market becoming more decentralised making it convenient for customers in different residential areas, the agriculture industry is undergoing market changes which will offer customers more convenience.
