BrazilPUM supporting Zimbabwe with establishing model horticulture farms
Zimbabwe is looking to re-invigorate its horticulture industry, and has enlisted the services of Dutch management consultancy PUM to support with the planning and execution of this objective. The firm is currently working on building model farms to demonstrate best practices across the country.
Founded in The Hague in 1978, PUM is a non-profit consulting firm that offers expertise and management support to businesses in developing countries across the globe. The firm primarily acts as a mediator, connecting business leaders in developing countries with Senior Dutch experts.
The professionals that offer support are those who have committed some hours towards volunteer work. Overall, PUM’s objective is to foster entrepreneurial skills, self-sufficiency and consciousness around sustainability across developing markets, particularly in the small and medium enterprises sector.
Among a range of projects across the globe, PUM is currently engaged with the government of Zimbabwe to help develop the country Horticulture sector. The sector was thriving in the past, but its growth was hindered by poorly strategized land reforms initiated over the last two decades by the former president Robert Mugabe.
PUM was enlisted by the country in 2016, and has since been engaged in a range of activities, including assessments on how exporters of fresh produce in Zimbabwe could transition to sea borne transportation systems from air borne ones through the the development of cold chains across the region.
Now, the firm is working on evaluating the scope for and developing plans for the establishment of model horticulture farms across Zimbabwe, which will not only demonstrate best practices but will also experiment with proven techniques in the shipping department.
The model facilities will be staffed with farmers who will be trained and equipped with the required skills and certification to maintain the farms. PUM will not only facilitate these trainings, but will also devise the strategies for logistical management and infrastructure development on the farms.
Commenting on the project, expert at OUM Carel van Oosterzee said, “Zimbabwe has a lot of potential and a great climate for growing crops which allows you to supply certain produce even when it is out of season in Europe. This gives us confidence that the model will be successful in Zimbabwe and we will be able to get great results from it.”
Zimbabwe's reliance on horticulture is reflective of a broader trend across African markets that has increasingly come to light in recent times – the nuanced market priorities in different countries. A number of international consulting firms have been involved in supporting these unique markets with development in the contemporary scenario.
