A new chilli processing plant with a capacity of 80 tonnes per day, alongside a hybrid out-grower scheme, is being established in Mashonaland West Province.
The project combines a cluster approach to involve smallholder, medium, and large-scale commercial farmers.
As reported by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chilli-outgrower-scheme-launched/">The Herald</a>, StaGri Brands, the project’s off-takers, includes investors, the ZIMRA Pensions Fund, and multinational company De Smit Food International. They are setting up the factory at Nyahondo Farm in Zvimba district.
The factory is said to be over 70% complete, with processing plant equipment already in the country. The plant will join others in countries like Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam, and China.
It will process both fresh and dried chillies for the international market, including China, with its 1.4 billion-strong population.
It will also produce paste for internationally recognized brands such as Heinz and Indo Foods.
Contracted farmers are growing the Tejaswini chilli variety, which can yield up to 400kg per quarter acre.
With a market price of around US$1.50 per kilogramme, this translates to $1,500 per tonne of the hot vegetable.
Initially, the Zimbabwean plant will contribute 5% of De Smit International’s retail packaged and bulk paste, with the potential to increase production to 10%.
De Smit Food International team leader, Erwin De Smit, explained that the company is expanding internationally and will need more raw materials to meet growing demand. Said Smit:
<blockquote>
Due to climate change, we have to spread our risk to several countries and we feel that Zimbabwe will give us great opportunities.
I didn’t know that agriculture was developed in Zimbabwe and gave that many opportunities.
I was immediately impressed the first time I came into the country.
</blockquote>
Partner Jack Men from China said that the venture would create value for farmers and empower communities, highlighting the vast potential of the chilli product market. He said:
<blockquote>
People in provinces such as Sichuan, Hunan and Fujian among others love spicy foods and the supply of spicy chillies is not enough and presently we buy from India.
We are here in Zimbabwe to look for healthy and qualified products. Look at the weather here; it is perfect for growing the best chillies.
</blockquote>
StaGri Brands CEO, Valentine Tapfumaneyi, called for the product to be granted Export Processing Zone (EPZ) status. Said Tapfumaneyi:
<blockquote>
With our partnership with De Smit Foods International, we are set to take our fresh and dried chillies to markets far and wide, ensuring that ‘the spice of Zimbabwe’ reaches various industries across the world.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

A new chilli processing plant is being built in Zimbabwe. It will process fresh and dried chillies for the international market. The plant will also produce paste for brands like Heinz. The project involves small, medium, and large-scale farmers. The plant is almost finished and will contribute to international demand. The company behind the project is looking to Zimbabwe for more raw materials due to climate change. They believe Zimbabwe has great opportunities. The project aims to empower farmers and communities and grow the chilli product market globally. The CEO hopes the chilli product will get Export Processing Zone status to reach more markets.

Hybrid Chilli Out-grower Scheme Launched

Charlie Tembo(94) was found dead by children in a toilet with a swollen stomach where he had rushed to relieve himself, soon after hot chilli at a memorial service in Old Luveve, Bulawayo, on Saturday. Tembo was also frothing from the mouth. 
The children alerted elders who called an ambulance and the police who came after about three hours. Tembo’s family declined to give The Chronicle a comment stating that it was too early to do so.  A resident Mr Dunstan Mapuma who attended the memorial service said the late Tembo shared a plate of isitshwala (sadza) with a man called Mr Mpala. Said Mapuma:
<blockquote>Tembo asked for chillies from Mpala and he sprinkled it liberally over the food. After the meal he rushed to the toilet. Children then came informing us that Tembo had died while sitting on the toilet seat. His grandson tried to resuscitate him but he was dead already. Mr Tembo, we are told, was suffering from BP and we are waiting for the post-mortem to reveal the cause of the death.</blockquote>
Efforts by The Chronicle to get a comment from the police were fruitless.
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/94-year-old-dies-after-eating-chillies/">Chronicle</a>

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