Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
3.
Raw material supply
●
Propagation of indigenous fruit trees.
●
Seasonality of fruits.
●
Raw material supply inconsistency.
●
Low quality of fruit.
●
Pest and diseases related to fruit rot.
Box 14.2. Tulimara: Speciality Foods of Africa
In September 2002, Speciality Foods of Africa Pvt Ltd (SFA) was incorporated with two
shareholders, SAFIRE and Caroline de Kock (the previous Marketing Director of Tulimara
Pvt Ltd, now Managing Director) in Zimbabwe. SFA is the owner of the brand name
Tulimara. This small indigenous plant-processing company currently has 10 products in
the Tulimara range, with plans to launch several more. These current products include:
●
Makoni herbal tea (natural and lemon flavours) (
Fadogia ancylantha
).
●
Masau jam (
Ziziphus mauritiana
).
●
Marula jelly (
Sclerocarya birrea
).
●
Mazhanje jam (
Uapaca kirkiana
).
●
Dried masau slices (fruit leather) (
Ziziphus mauritiana
).
●
Canned nyimo beans (
Vigna subterranea
).
●
Canned nyemba beans (
Vigna unguiculata
).
SFA does not have its own processing, storage or distribution facilities. It works
closely with other private-sector partners who are responsible for transportation,
processing and distribution. SFA's role is to ensure that all linkages in the chain function
efficiently. SFA's major responsibilities are:
●
Ensuring that raw materials are harvested and delivered to processors.
●
New product development.
●
Design and supply of packaging and labels.
●
Marketing, sales and merchandising.
●
Export marketing and sales.
SFA currently sells all its products in supermarkets throughout Zimbabwe. Export
markets include Italy, the UK, Sweden, Australia and the USA. What makes this company
unique is its community-based raw material supply networks. SFA purchases raw materials
directly from rural producer groups wherever possible. SFA meets with rural producer
groups in advance of harvesting to discuss quantities, prices and logistics of collection. It is
the responsibility of producer groups to ensure that raw materials are of the agreed quality
and quantity, and delivered at the collection points on the date and time agreed in advance.
SFA works with SAFIRE, which is linked to rural producer groups in Zimbabwe. SAFIRE
is responsible for training the groups in sustainable harvesting and basic business skills. In
the case of groups that are involved in primary processing (Mazhanje and Makoni) SAFIRE
provides training in the processing according the SFA's specifications. SAFIRE also provides
equipment where necessary for the groups through its donor-funded programmes.
SAFIRE acts as an intermediary between SFA and the producer groups in the first few
years of operation until they are considered to be ready to operate on their own. When that
happens, SFA and the producer group negotiate directly without the involvement of SAFIRE.
SFA has fair trade agreements with groups that are considered sustainable and able
to operate on their own. The fair trade agreement includes information about prices,
inflationary increases, profit share, minimum order quantities and dispute resolution.
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