Government is encouraging farmers across Zimbabwe to embrace turmeric production as part of efforts to diversify agriculture and tap into rising global demand for high-value crops.
Despite its strong income potential, uptake of the crop remains low, prompting authorities to intensify awareness and support initiatives.
In an interview with the media, today Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, said farmers stand to benefit from the crop’s high value and broad uses.
“Turmeric production is a lucrative business with potential for value addition. At least 45 components can be extracted from the crop. Some medicinal properties are also said to help suppress drug cravings, which can aid efforts to combat drug and substance abuse,” she said.
Authorities are also targeting youth participation through land access and skills-development programmes aimed at boosting productivity and commercialisation.
“We want to ensure that farmers are well-trained in the production of not only turmeric, but also ginger. These are high-value crops, and our priority is to include them in our crop mix. We are emphasising that farming is a business, and this should be reflected through increased production,” said Caristo Masiwa, the Provincial Director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
In Chegutu, farmer Bornface Taruvinga is setting the pace by hosting a field day at his homestead to share practical knowledge on turmeric production.
“I was motivated by the President, who always says ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’, and that farming should be taken as a business. This crop has the potential to transform farmers’ prospects. Adherence to good agricultural practices is key to achieving a good yield,” he said.
Globally, India remains the leading producer of turmeric but is failing to meet rising demand, creating opportunities for emerging players such as Zimbabwe.
Government, working with private sector partners, is now driving large-scale production, with contractors offering technical expertise, inputs and access to export markets.
“We are blessed with favourable climatic conditions and should take advantage of them. As contractors, we have secured export markets for all our contracted organic farmers. We are therefore partnering with Government to promote turmeric production in response to the rising global demand,” said turmeric contractor Jerome Magumbe.
Farmers are further being encouraged to adopt organic farming practices to meet export-certification standards, as Government expands international market access for Zimbabwean produce.
