Towards Inclusive market development: Organic value chain discussion forum

October 30 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm UTC+2

Organic value chain discussion forum

Finance obstacles
- Expensive facilities available, OA perceived as risky Bullet
Poor water availability
- Declining sources and expensive irrigation, and lack of knowledge on water rights
Lack of extension support
- Lack of OA education in curricula
Weak organic input markets
- Lack of commercialization of OA compatible pesticides and in depth research on dosages
Market challenges
- Lack of market information
- Competition from imports and high product prices,
- organic status not seen as a selling point nationally
- market information lacking, weak certification and traceability
- Supply inconsistency causing lack of confidence
Transport issues
- Poor infrastructure
- Poor producer coordination
Certification Challenges
- Lack of knowledge on certification standards
- Lack of policy support for enforcement of standards
- Inaccessibility of certification services
Challenges for export markets
- High bureaucracy
- High transport costs
- Policy unpredictability
Limited information sharing
- Absence of information sharing along the value chain
Weak online presence
- Lack of updated sector information online
Domination by the older generation
- Young generation not keen to engage in OA

Growing markets
- locally and globally
Existence of small organized producer groups
- Could be organized for improved production/economies of scale
Potential of growth for OA input sector
- Soil fertility
- Pest and disease management
- Packaging
Zimbabwean policy stance on GMOs
- Zimbabwean products attractive for export and locally
High presence of under-utilised species
- Potential for value-addition to develop novel products
Potential linkage between OA and tourism market
- Promotion of traditional organic zimbabwean foods
Positive workforce reputation