The previous blogs in this series have discussed the rise of small-scale mechanisation as a response to agricultural production, processing and transport challenges in Zimbabwe. The demand for new machines – of all shapes and sizes – arises due to … Continue reading → …
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ZimbabweLand
On the move: transporting agricultural goods in Zimbabwe
As production and marketing has increased from the new resettlement farms, the demand for transport has grown. The earlier blog series highlighted the importance of transport operators as part of the expanding ‘hidden middle’. Transporters facilitate value chains of all … Continue reading → …
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Processing crops in Zimbabwe: adding value through mechanisation
This blog continues our short series on small-scale agricultural mechanisation in Zimbabwe. This week we turn to how mechanisation is changing the capacity to process agricultural produce and so add value locally. Selling to larger scale manufacturers, millers and so … Continue reading → …
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Small-scale mechanisation in Zimbabwean farming: boosting production
Following the introduction to the blog series last week, this blog focus on how small-scale mechanisation is boosting production across our sites. Processes of intensification and commercialisation are driving demand for a variety of forms of mechanisation to assist with … Continue reading → …
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Small-scale agricultural mechanisation is taking off in Zimbabwe
A couple of weeks ago, the FAO hosted a massive gathering on ‘Sustainable agricultural mechanisation’, with the tag line efficiency, inclusivity, resilience. There were about 8000 delegates at the hybrid event and the FAO gave it a high profile. Agricultural … Continue reading → …
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Zimbabwe’s disputed election: why resource politics matter
Here we go again…. Zimbabwe has a disputed election, with all sorts of deeply damaging uncertainties that will follow, perhaps for years. The final results were announced late at night on 26 August, with Emerson Mnangagwa declared the winner of … Continue reading → …
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Zimbabwe’s election: what are the parties saying about land, agriculture and rural development?
At last one of the major parties contesting Zimbabwe’s election on August 23 has produced a manifesto – in this case the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), which was launched last week. ZANU-PF remain without one, claiming that they are … Continue reading → …
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Catch up on Zimbabweland – top blogs so far this year
The blog is taking a break for a few weeks as holidays and book-writing deadlines beckon. But there’s plenty to catch up on if you haven’t already. Here’s a list of the ‘top 10’ most viewed posts of 2023 (so … Continue reading → …
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Commercialising horticulture in Zimbabwe: some case studies
Last week the blog offered an overview of horticulture growing across our research sites in Zimbabwe. The blog emphasised the importance of a ‘hidden middle’ connecting growers to a range of other activities, all generating employment. This blog focuses on … Continue reading → …
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Booming horticulture markets in Zimbabwe: a growing ‘hidden middle’
Everyone seems to be growing vegetables (and fruit) these days. It is big business and the horticulture sector is generating income, jobs and secondary businesses like never before. The ‘hidden middle’ in this value web is thriving. In the … Continue reading → …
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