Zim has been doing this for a while, though. If the procurement policies of wholesalers and retailers in the country actively put local farmers first AND paid them fair prices, they would have a decent supply of onions... https://twitter.com/agribusinesszw/status/1260526020849020928

My dad has regularly planted onions on 2 hectares of communal land (Kumusha). He is such a perfectionist, so best believe that his product is top quality

Unfortunately, unless you are a contract grower (there are many issues contract growers in Zim experience - will tweet about my uncle's experience ), it's just tough to try and get your product in the mainstream supermarkets because either vane vanhu vavo or they import

So Mbare becomes the go-to distribution centre, but because of flactuating supply and demand, pricing is so unpredictable. Also, makoronyera anotonga Mbare; you're at their mercy whether you like it or not

It's heartbreaking to see your product priced at a loss and you're now put in a tight spot where you either choose to sell at a loss (because fresh onions don't keep), or keep them and somehow make a plan to dry them for sale when supply is low and pricing is fairer...

And therein lies the problem that @agribusinesszw tweets about in my quoted tweet.

My dad has tried various DIY (potentially scalable) drying methods over the years and has made significant crop/money losses because for the output of onions that come out of 2 hectares of land, you need "the works". Kuzoti output yemunhu ano farmer at a Commercial scale?

And all this self-funded in a country where salaries are so behind, you lose track of how much the company you work for owes you... And getting a loan is not even an option because how do you even pay it back?

Anyway, he hasn't done onions for the last 3-4yrs because if the market for onions in Zim remains the way it is (favouring imports), he needs to figure this storage/drying issue out 1st.

That way, he'll have peace of mind that he can sell his produce, albeit slowly, without making huge losses

Might as well start exploring exportation... But nyaya yekuzobhadhara mabribe just to sell zvinhu zvako, bodo