Agric performance through ordinary people's markets

The month of May is significant in Zimbabwean agriculture
for two main reasons. First of all, May marks the beginning
of winter. Secondly, by May, most field crops are off the
land and now at home. Farmers will now be busy counting
their costs and thinking about diversifying into other
agribusiness activities. Mbare Agriculture Market (Harare),
Malaleni (Bulawayo), Kudzanayi (Gweru), Sakubva (Mutare)
, Njanji (Masvingo) and other markets proved to be a
yardstick in May this year through the way which the
country's agriculture potential can be measured.
While crop forecasting by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Mechanisation and Irrigation Development highlights
potential national yield when commodities are still on the
land, eMkambo gathers intelligence on surplus produce that
actually reaches the market.
As revealed by the analysis below, almost every district in
Zimbabwe has champions who sell commodities to the
market.
Organisations which use labels like "poor people" and
"vulnerable households" to describe rural communities
should start crafting development models that take into
account the efforts of commercially -- minded local
champions who always strive to put their districts on the
map.
There is always a champion in every district, no matter how
"poor" a district or community is labelled.
The development sector needs a new evidence-based world
view on the meaning of development and sustainability.
Policy makers should devote resources to local market
development where the country's resilience is well
expressed.
Although local knowledge is being contaminated by various
forms of knowledge spill-overs, ordinary people people's
capacity to mobilise solutions stands tall in Zimbabwe.
We need creative bridges between NGOs working in
agriculture, farmer organisations, development agencies,
the private sector, consumers and policy makers.
The market provides the only space where a collaborative
conversation can take place in the interest of building
Zimbabwean agriculture.
District performance at Mbare farmers market
From data gathered by eMkambo, an Estimated Revenue of
US$3 015 168 25,40 exchanged hands between farmers and
agric-produce consumers in the Mbare agriculture market.
This is an increase of 46,1 percent from May 2013.
The income was generated from 49 produce types sold in
the market from various farming areas and districts around
Zimbabwe.