Oil seeds body unveils $23m scheme for Zim farmers

THE Oil Seeds Association of Zimbabwe (OSAZ) has launched a $23 million sunflower outgrower scheme targeting 320 000 smallholder farmers to complement government’s efforts in boosting oilseed production in Zimbabwe.
Government is currently working with soyabeans farmers under Command Agriculture in order to reduce the country’s import bill and boost the manufacture of stockfeeds and cooking oil.
At least 60 000 hectares is earmarked in the 2018/19 season. This is estimated to yield 100 000 tonnes, which should contribute towards reducing the soya bean import bill for the edible oil industry.
Owen Sher, the Goldstone & Co chief executive, said the sunflower seed project will give the company a more holistic approach for the next five years.
“Our targeted investment into Zimbabwe is $23 million which we are executing under various investment funds and these investment funds are helping us under already established markets for fertilisers, chemicals and now we are extending to the seed market,” he said.
Farai Muchenjekwa, the OSAZ operations director, said the organisation is reviving the sunflower sector, which has been lying dormant for the past 15 years.
“Since it had become an abandoned crop, there are no proper statistics to show the current production levels. It was last produced around 2003, but estimates show that production could be around 5 000 tonnes.
“We need measures to jumpstart our economy and part of our five to 10-year plan in terms of strategy is that Zimbabwe must become self-reliant in terms of the food it produces and the seed it imports,” he said.
Government is targeting to inject over $35, 5 million this year as production of oilseeds is currently below the national requirements of 340 000 tonnes.
On its part, OSAZ plans to turn every small scale farmer into a net exporter by 2020.
“The market is available not only in Zimbabwe but in South Africa. We also have buyers in Germany. We need to revive the oilseed sector,” Muchenjekwa said. – By Freedom Mashava
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