Technical assistance on the development of the Sunflower and Legume Value Chain Strategy Development in Zimbabwe

For a very long time, Sunflower and Legumes value chains have been an integral component of smallholder farming systems in Zimbabwe. These crops significantly contribute towards the achievement of the triple wins of economic growth, nutritional and environmental benefits. Smallholder farmers have the capacity to produce enough legumes to feed the nation and also meet export demand. However, tackling constraints in the Sunflower and Legume Value Chains requires multi-stakeholder partnerships rather than a fragmented approach.

It is against the above background that the Center for Agriculture and Food Policy provided technical support to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in developing the Sunflower and Legumes Value Chain Strategy in 2022. For the Ministry, the purpose of the strategy is improving production and productivity of sunflower and legume crops toward increasing the participation of women, youth and vulnerable groups in the Sunflower and Legume Value Chains. In addition, the strategy seeks to equip value chain players with appropriate technology and services required to efficiently produce and process sunflower and legumes.

Key Impacts

Critical interventions proposed in the strategy include promoting the production of sunflower and legume inputs, developing competitive, effective and efficient marketing systems for sunflower and legumes marketing systems, improving production and productivity of sunflower and legume crops, to equip value chain players with appropriate technology and services required to efficiently produce and process sunflower and legumes, and lastly to promote research and information dissemination for sustainable development of Sunflower and Legume Value Chain.

• The strategy document will be shared once finalised.