Enhancing Market Access for Rural Women in Horticultre

About this Project

Building on their robust portfolio of enhancing food sustainability, Tac-Maz Sustainable Ventures will implement a new project that will improve market access and enhance value addition among 1,244 female farmers in Chiradzulu district. The project will complete the construction and setup of a horticultural processing unit using $7,982.58 from Mudzi Connect and its co-investment. With this structure, the group will set up a horticultural processing unit, which will allow for the value addition of fresh produce like tomatoes, mangoes and pawpaw into mango archer, tomato sauce, chili, jam and a variety of fruit juices. The aforementioned farmers will be equipped with skills and seedlings to produce the raw materials in bulk, thereby strengthening the project’s supply chain and offering the farmers with the much needed better priced market.

Tac-Maz Sustainable Ventures has made significant progress in the construction of its horticultural processing unit. Key achievements to date include a redesign of the facility to comply with national food safety and export standards, as well as the completion of essential structural enhancements, such as the construction of toilets and changing rooms. Critical fixtures and fittings have been installed, including toilet sets, kitchen sinks, door frames, and exterior iron doors. The project has also procured key project materials such as electrical wiring and plumbing components with preparations for final finishing works currently underway. Additionally, the acquisition of barbed wire and paint is in progress to secure the premises and complete the internal finishes. Once completed, the processing unit will provide a functional, sanitary, and compliant environment designed to support women farmers in producing high quality horticultural products for both local and export markets.