MONTGOMERY Processors — renowned for the Monty’s brand — and the Central Association of Co-operatives Union (CACU) have launched an innovative outgrower scheme to support Zimbabwe’s smallholder farmers, NewsDay Farming can report.
Announcing the strategic partnership recently, the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) said smallholder farmers will benefit from an offtaker agreement to supply Michigan Pea Beans to Monty’s.
The partnership is a cornerstone of the HDC’s innovative Hub and Spoke Model, which is implemented with support from the UK and the Netherlands and designed to integrate small-scale farmers into the agriculture value chain.
By connecting CACU farmers with Montgomery Processors, the model aims to boost farmers’ incomes, enhance product quality, create jobs, and support sustainable agriculture.
Working with HDC, CACU has already initiated a pilot programme to cultivate 10 hectares of Michigan Pea Beans and is actively recruiting farmers for this exciting opportunity.
“This partnership marks a significant step forward in our mission to empower smallholder farmers for inclusive growth,” Linda Nielsen, chief executive officer of HDC, said in a statement.
“By providing a stable market and technical support, we are helping farmers to thrive and contribute to the nation’s agricultural growth.”
Monty’s has contracted CACU to produce a biofortified Michigan pea bean variety called Jasmine, high in iron and zinc.
The variety was developed by the Crop Breeding Institute, under the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry’s Department of Research and Specialist Services, which has partnered HarvestPlus, a global programme to promote biofortified food crops.
This initiative aims to combat micronutrient malnutrition in Zimbabwe, where over 70% of children under five and 69% of women suffer from iron deficiency.
The locally bred Jasmine variety will also help reduce Zimbabwe’s food and seed import bill.
The offtake agreement was developed with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Monty’s-CACU outgrower scheme fulfils a key resolution of the HDC Investment Forum held in 2023, which urged stakeholders to seize opportunities to create linkages in the value chain.