Agriculture

*Vegetables*🥬🥦

– Covo: $1 -1.5 per bundle

– Rape: $1 per bundle

– Tsunga: $1 for 2 bundle

– Chomolia: $1.5 per bundle

– Cabbage (white): $1-$1.5

– Spinach: $1per bundle

– Lettuce: $1 head each

– Parsley: $0.80 per bunch

– Cauliflower: $1

– Okra (fresh): $10 per 20L bucket or $2 per tin

*High-Value Crops*🍅🫑🌶️

– Green pepper: $13 per crate & $1 for 5

– Red & Yellow pepper: $17 per crate $1 for 4

– Fine beans: $15 per crate

– Cucumber: $10 -$12 per crate

– Eng cucumber: $1each

– Horned cucumber: $1 for 12

– Carrots: $1.50 per bundle

– Beetroot: $1 – $1.50 per bundle

– Onions (white, king): $10 per 10 kg pocket

-Fresh Onion $1 for 10 Not Available

– Onion (red, king): $1 case

– Onion (shallots): $1 per bundle

– Eggplant: $1.5 per

– Garlic (bulbs): $10 per kg

– Ginger (bulbs): $6 per kg

-Masamba 50c to $1 cup

– Cherry tomato: $8 per kg

– Tomatoes: $10- $12 crate

– Maize corn: $4 per dozen. Not Available

– Green Pumpkin/mapudzi: $1 for 6

– Butternut: 8 kg $5 -10kgs $6

*Tubers*🥔🥔

– Potatoes 15 kg pocket: $8-$10

– Sweet potatoes: $ 5-$8 per 20L bucket

*Dried Foods*🥜🫘🥜

– Matemba:$47 per 20L

– Fish (small, dried): $2 for 5 Not Available

– Fish (big, dried): $8 for 4 Not Available

– Soya chunks: $2.8per 5kg packet

– Mufushwa munyemba: $12 per 20L bucket

– Mufushwa nyevhe: $30per 20L bucket

– Mufushwa covo: $10 per 20L bucket

– Mufushwa mutsine: $12 per 20L bucket

– Mufushwa derere remashizha: $10per 20L bucket

-Mufushwa Howa nhedzi: $12-16 per 20L bucket

-Mufushwa wehowa zheveyambuya $20 bucket

-Mafushe echibage $15 bucket

-Masamba makoni,masivanda tea $12 bucket

-Dried nyimo $40

Nyimo $40

Nyemba $30

*Poultry*🪿🦈🐓🦃🐇

– Chicken (broilers): $5 -$6 each

– Indigenous chicken (hen): $8 each

– Indigenous (cocks): $9 each

– Iso brown: $8 each

– Turkey: $15 each

– Ducks: $10-$15 each

-Off layer 5

-Eggs $4.2 large medium -$4.5 crate

*Fruits*🍎🍋‍🟩🍇🍏

– Apples: $25 per large box

-Naarjies : $4 for 10kgs

– Avocado: $13 crate $ for 3 or 5

– Pears: $2.75 per kg, $19 per box

– Plums: $18 Box

– Grapes: $20 per box, $2.5 per satchet

– Small berryfinger leaf/ tsubvu: $5-6 per 20L bucket

– Pineapples: $0.75 -$1 each

– Oranges: $4 -$5 per 10kg packet

-Lemons $4-$5

-Nhunguru $ for 2 cup

– Bananas: $12-13 per crate

– Mawuyu (shelled): $8 per 20L bucket

– Nyiii: $12 per 20L bucket

-Tsvubvu $8 bucket

-Nzvirimombe $8 bucket

-Guava $4 bucket

-Huchi $3 bottle

-Masau $12 bucket

-Matohwe $10 bucket

*Grain*🥔

– Fresh groundnuts/nzungu: $10-$12 per 20L bucket

-Dried Groundnuts $12 buckect

-Nyemba $10 bucket

– FreshBambara groundnuts/Nyimo: $10-$12 bucket

– White maize: $5 -8 per 20L bucket

– Yellow maize: $5 per 20L bucket

– Mhunga: $20per 20L bucket

– Rukweza/ Finger millet: $40 per 20L bucket

-Rice yechivanhu $20 bucket

-Sunflower $5 bucket

-Wheat bucket $12 bucket

-Beans bucket $37

-BeansNua 45 $37 bucket

-White Sorghum $10 bucket

-Soya $8-$12 for bucket

-Watermelon $0.5-$1 each

The successful conclusion of the 2nd Edition of the Agricultural Research and Extension Symposium 2025 marks a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s agricultural future.

It reinforced the country’s potential to lead agricultural innovation and ensure food security in the region.

With continued investment and strong partnerships, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to become a beacon of agricultural excellence in Africa.

Key Highlights:

-ARISS is developing elite germplasm and enhancing crop and livestock production technologies.

-Breeding programs are tackling major pests and diseases, reducing reliance on GMOs.

-Conservation agriculture practices such as contour ridging are gaining traction.

-The symposium provided a collaborative platform for multi-sectoral stakeholders.

-Zimbabwe is advancing toward national targets of food security, nutrition, and health by 2030.

The Agricultural Research and Innovation Services (ARISS) Directorate today concluded the three-day 2nd Edition of the Agricultural Research and Extension Symposium with a highly successful Demo Field Day.

The event showcased cutting-edge technologies and innovations in agricultural research, marking a major step forward for Zimbabwe’s agricultural development.

Bringing together stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector, and international institutions, the event served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Participants explored new solutions to drive agricultural productivity, sustainability, and resilience.

In his keynote address, ARISS Chief Director Dr. Dumisani Kutywayo emphasized the organization’s commitment to scientific progress.

“We have made significant strides in developing crop varieties that are resilient to climate change and pests,” he said.

Dr. Kutywayo also highlighted ARISS’s focus on elite germplasm development, improved crop and livestock technologies, and reducing losses across the value chain.

Speaking at the event, Agricultural Research Council CEO Dr. C. Magorokosho underscored the critical need for collaboration.

“We are here today so that we can get to know one another and start building research teams. Working in silos does not lead to impactful outcomes,” he said.

“Let’s unite and form one strong national research force.”

The Agricultural Research Council coordinates over 2,000 researchers from various institutions, helping to harmonize efforts in tackling food security, climate change, and sustainability.

The Council plays a pivotal role in aligning national research strategies and fostering partnerships across the agriculture sector.

Renowned Zimbabwean agronomist Ivan Craig applauded the nation’s progress.

“Zimbabwe’s agriculture is evolving rapidly with advancements in precision farming, crop breeding, and pest and disease management,” he said.

The symposium and demo plot tours underscored ARISS’s role in spearheading agricultural innovation in Zimbabwe.

Attendees witnessed demonstrations on technologies such as contour ridging, precision agriculture, conservation farming, and pest-resistant crop varieties. @top fans Africa Food Prize

Farming is often viewed as a business, and for those looking to maximize profits, onion farming can be a lucrative venture. Mudhumeni Mukuru, Ivan Craig gave some insights on how best to make money out of onion farming on Classic 263 radio recently.

During the program he emphasised that with proper techniques and market awareness, farmers can thrive in this domain .

In his words, “Onion farming is profitable if done properly, and King Onion can be your dollar crop this season.”

Understanding the Different Types of Onions.

When entering the onion market, it’s crucial to understand the various types of onions available. Among them, King Onions, which include red, white, and yellow varieties, stand out as particularly lucrative. Mudhumeni explains, “King Onion is a king onion, red or white, so that one is very, very important, in the sense that when it comes to business, it gives you the money you want at one go.”

Shallots and leeks also have their places in the market. Shallots, although sometimes viewed as difficult to harvest, are in demand in various markets.

According to Mudhumeni, “You can still make money with shallots… it’s quite prolific when it comes to tillering.” Leeks, while less popular, have a niche market as well, especially for soups.

Best Practices for Growing King Onions

To cultivate King Onions successfully, proper planning and execution are essential.

Mudhumeni suggests a plant population of 750,000 to 1 million plants per hectare for optimal yield.

“With a King Onion, you plant 750,000 plants per hectare to a million plants per hectare,” he states.

This high-density planting ensures that farmers can maximize their returns.

In terms of soil preparation,”Your field must be well drained and deep.”

Deep ploughing is crucial as it allows water to drain properly, preventing root diseases.

Fertilization is also key; farmers should apply around 600-700 kgs of compound fertilizer per hectare, along with 100 kgs of ammonium nitrate for top dressing.

The Importance of Timing and Market Awareness.

Timing plays a significant role in onion farming. Mudhumeni highlighted that farmers should be aware of their local climate and plant accordingly.

“Everything in winter is retarded; it grows slowly,” he notes, emphasizing the need for patience and careful planning.

Moreover, understanding market demand is essential.

“When you are into business, it depends on what market you are targeting,” Mudhumeni explains.
King Onions, particularly the red variety, are favored in regions like Malawi and Mozambique due to their strong aroma and flavor.

The Road Ahead for Onion Farmers.

For aspiring onion farmers, the key takeaway from Mudhumeni’s insights is that with the right agronomic practices and understanding of the market, onion farming can be a highly profitable venture.

King Onion, often dubbed the “dollar crop,” presents an excellent opportunity for those willing to invest the necessary time and effort.

“If you train yourself professionally in that one, you will find that you will be able to harvest a bunch.”

As farmers continue to adapt and learn, the future of onion farming looks bright, providing a sustainable source of income and delicious food for many.

With the right knowledge and diligence, onion farming, particularly with King Onions, can lead to both financial success and culinary delight.

Vegetables🥬🥦
– Covo: $0.50 per bundle
– Rape: $0.50 per bundle
– Tsunga: $0.50 per bundle
– Chomolia: $1 per bundle
– Cabbage (white): $1 (big head) & $0.50 small head
– Spinach: $0.50 per bundle
– Lettuce: $0.50each
– Marrow: not available
– Coriander: $0.50 per bunch
– Parsley: $1 per bunch
– Cauliflower: $3 per kg
– Okra (fresh): $10 per 20L bucket or $2 per tin
– Okra leaf (derere remashizha): ❌❌
– Pumpkin leaves (Muboora): $1 cup
– Mushroom (fresh) : ❌❌
– Cowpeas leaves (Munyemba):$1 cup
– African Spider leaves (Nyevhe): $1 cup
– Mutsine (Black jack)$1 cup
– Amaranth (Imbuya/Mudongi)✅

High-Value Crops🍅🫑🌶️
– Green pepper: $13 per crate & $1 for 4
– Red & Yellow pepper: $13 per crate $1 for 2
– Fine beans: $10 per crate
– Cucumber: $25 per crate
– Eng cucumber: $1 for 2 or 3
– Horned cucumber: $1
– Carrots: $60 per sack
– Beetroot: $10 per 10kg
– Onions (white, king): $10 per 10 kg pocket
– Onion (red, king): $10 per 10 kg pocket..$1 for 2
– Onion (shallots): $1 per bundle
– Eggplant: $1 for 2
– Chilli pepper: $1per tswanda
– Garlic (bulbs): $45 per sack
– Ginger (bulbs): $5 per kg
– Cherry tomato: $1 per trey
– Tomatoes: $20 crate
– Maize corn: $5 per dozen
– Green Pumpkin/mapudzi: $1 for 8
– Wild melon/ mashamba: $1- $2 depending on size
– Butternut: $38 per sack

Tubers🥔🥔
– Potatoes 15 kg pocket: $14
– Potatoes 10kg pocket: $10 or $8
– Sweet potatoes: $6 per 20L bucket

Dried Foods🥜🫘🥜
– Matemba: $50 per 20L bucket
– Madora/Macimbi/Mopane worms (dried): $50 per 20L bucket & $1/20 rand per cup
– Fish (small, dried): $1 for 4
– Fish (big, dried): $1 for 3
– Soya chunks: $3 per 5kg packet
– Impwa: 1 rand
– Nzimbe/ Sugarcane: 5 rand
– Mufushwa munyemba: $10 per 20L bucket
– Mufushwa nyevhe: $15 per 20L bucket
– Mufushwa covo: $5 per 20L bucket
– Mufushwa mutsine: $5 per 20L bucket
– Mufushwa derere remashizha: $3 per 20L bucket

*Poultry*🪿🦈🐓🦃🐇
– Chicken (broilers): $6
– Indigenous chicken (hen): $8
– Indigenous (cocks): $10
– Iso brown: $5 off layers
– Turkey: $15-20
– Ducks: $5 / 6
– Guinea Fowls (Hanga): $8
– Rabbit: $7

Fruits🍎🍋🟩🍇🍏
– Apples: $25 per large box
Naarjies : $1 for 8 depends on sizes
– Avocado: $1 per kg
– Umviyo: 10 rand per cup
– Pears: $3 per kg, $20 per box
– Plums: $20 Box
– Grapes: $25 per box, $2 per satchet
– Small berryfinger leaf/ tsubvu: $5per 20L bucket
– Pineapples: $1 depends on sizes
– Oranges: $5 per 10kg packet
– Zunga: $2
– Bananas: $1 for 15
– Mawuyu (shelled): $3 per 20L bucket
– Nyiii: $10 per 20L bucket

❌❌Unavailable❌❌
– Mango (big)✅
– Mango (sweet)✅
– Mugwadi✅
– Emkemeswane/Matamba✅ go
– Matofi✅
– Udlawuzo/Shumha✅

Grain🥔
– Fresh groundnuts/nzungu: $10 per 20L bucket
– Bambara groundnuts/Nyimo: $10
– White maize: $6 per 20L bucket
– Yellow maize: $6 per 20L bucket
– Sorghum/Mhunga: $7 per 20L bucket
– Rukweza/ Finger millet: $30 per 20L bucket