The Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) plans to export 25 to 30 tons of rock melon to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this year. The university, with ZimTrade's assistance, has already exported 8 tons of rock melon to Dubai under the national trade development and promotion cluster programme.
CUT's farm general manager, Oswel Ushe, shared that the university is adopting innovative agriculture. The university aims to increase its export drive from two to five hectares. They are planning a 10-interval cycle this year, planting monthly except during the frost months of May and June. The demand for the crop throughout the year will determine the cycles.
Fungai Chatiza, a senior lecturer at the university, emphasized the need for cold rooms to preserve the produce before transportation. The university has plans to establish an export hub to educate other farmers on exporting their products. Another senior lecturer, Robert Masundire, mentioned that Zimtrade assisted them in acquiring the rock melon seeds, which are not readily available in Zimbabwe.
Source: www.newsday.co.zw