Trymore Tagwirei
The rapid expansion of the Sabistar Lithium Mine is not only energizing Zimbabwe’s mining sector—it’s also breathing new life into Buhera’s horticultural economy.
Local smallholder farmers are now tapping into high-value markets, supplying fresh produce to the mine and beyond, in a development hailed as a game-changer for rural livelihoods.
Driven by the mine’s growing demand for fresh produce to feed its workforce and associated businesses, smallholder farmers are now expanding beyond traditional village markets. This shift is enabling them to tap into more lucrative and consistent customer bases.
Sabistar Mine’s Public Relations Officer, Emerson Mangezi, highlighted that local farmers were now supplying fresh produce directly to the mine and enjoying significantly improved incomes as a result
“The expansion of our operations has increased the demand for fresh vegetables and fruits. Buhera’s farmers are now strategically positioned to serve both our internal needs and external markets. This is unlocking opportunities for sustainable farming and better earnings,” said Mangezi.
To meet rising demand, farmers are channelling their produce through centralized collection hubs where it is sorted, graded, and packaged to meet buyer specifications.
Training programs in good agricultural practices, packaging, and storage are helping reduce post-harvest losses and preserve freshness during transit.
“This model allows bulk consignments to reach supermarkets, exporters, institutional buyers, and food processors directly.
“Enhanced logistics, including cold-chain systems, ensure produce arrives in optimal condition at both mining-linked and urban markets. Farmers are also being guided to meet sanitary and phytosanitary standards, with rigorous quality checks boosting buyer confidence,” said Mangezi.
Lessem Mungore, a local horticulture farmer, revealed that supplying Sabi Star Mine with produce has revolutionized his farming business.
“I am now providing the Mine with a variety of vegetables. My goal is to expand into Chinese vegetables, potatoes, and eggs to diversify my offerings.
“I am truly thankful to the Mine for giving me the opportunity to supply greens, as it has significantly transformed my life,” said Mungore.
Despite the boom, some farmers still lament poor road infrastructure as an impediment to making timely deliveries to the market.
“It is quite warming that we now have a ready market for our produce but a big challenge is in the road network. Our roads are heavily damaged and it’s difficult to make deliveries in time and you can imagine how the situation will be like during the rainy season,” said a local farmer.
The mine has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the challenges being faced by the farmers in terms of price volatility, funding and logistics, and coordination.
