Zimbabwe has officially launched the Horticulture Enterprise Enhancement Project (HEAP), a US$66.5 million initiative set to benefit over 50,000 smallholder farmers and ignite fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs in the country’s agri-business sector.
The project is a partnership between the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aimed at transforming the horticulture sector into a thriving economic driver.
Announcing the project, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Vangelis Haritatos said HEAP would contribute significantly to national food security, nutrition, and economic growth.
“The Zimbabwe agriculture revolution train is in motion. We are building Zimbabwe brick upon brick and ensuring food sovereignty for all,” he said.
HEAP is designed to move horticulture beyond subsistence farming, creating a platform for value addition, processing, and export especially for youth, women and rural-based entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs in agri-tech, logistics, food processing and sustainable packaging are set to benefit from opportunities created by the programme, as HEAP strengthens market linkages, infrastructure, and access to finance.
Horticultural products such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers are already showing growing global demand particularly for organic and climate-smart varieties. With support from HEAP, Zimbabwean entrepreneurs will be better positioned to tap into both domestic and export markets.
The programme will fund modern irrigation systems, cold chain infrastructure, training and agricultural extension services, indirectly supporting agri-preneurs with technical tools and market access.
Stakeholders say the project presents business opportunities in areas such as:
- Cold storage and transport logistics
- Mobile markets and farm-to-table delivery systems
- Organic certification and eco-packaging services
- Export-oriented processing ventures
By facilitating the transition from survival farming to commercial horticulture, HEAP aims to boost rural incomes, generate employment and expand Zimbabwe’s GDP. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader push for food sovereignty and inclusive economic development.
With a strong focus on empowerment, HEAP provides a strategic opening for emerging entrepreneurs to integrate into the national horticulture value chain bringing innovation, sustainability and scale. Applications and rollout updates are expected to follow in the coming months.
