The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) is seeking authority from the City of Harare to introduce a farmers’ produce market at its Business Hub grounds as part of plans to decongest the Mbare Musika market, the society’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Anxious Masuka has said.
Speaking to the April edition of the society’s e-newsletter, Dr Masuka highlighted that the decision had been necessitated by the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic such as those relating to food supply as well as the need to create a platform for farmers to sell their produce in an environment that supports issues like social distancing.
“Since the lockdown, Harare has had the Mbare Musika as the only central fresh farm and horticulture supply location available to both farmers and residents. Social and physical distancing continue to pose challenges for the market. There has, therefore, been justifiable suggestions to decentralise their marketing of farm produce,” Dr Masuka said.
ZAS Head of Works and Estate Services, Engineer Enkelbert Makaure indicated that the society already had in place all the necessary COVID-19 measures such as space for social distancing and temperate checking facilities.
“Our facilities will be subjected to regular disinfection. The main market will be located in the Glamis Arena which has an area of 30 000m2 and can safely accommodate 400 to 500 stalls even with social distancing,” said Eng Makaure.
ZAS, whose mandate is agricultural development, is the organiser of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show which, until last year, was known as the Harare Agricultural Show.