Tomato Value Chain and Local Economic Development in Domboshava Area in Goromonzi Rural District Council, Zimbabwe

The main objective of this paper was to identify the key actors in the tomato value chain, their roles and how their roles contributed to shaping the final product for the consumer. Furthermore, the paper sought to examine the effect of the tomato value chain on the local economic development of regions or territories specifically through employment creation, income generation and poverty reduction. The study adopted mixed methods to collect data from respondents and found that the key actors in the tomato production value chain in Dombosahva were input suppliers, tomato farmers, transporters, wholesalers, retailers and the consumers. Every actor directly contributed towards the final product by playing their distinct but important roles. However, the results also revealed that the various actors faced many distinct challenges that negatively impacted on their roles. Some of the major challenges faced were primitive farming methods; lack of access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of access to markets. The study concluded that the tomato value chain in Domboshava promoted local economic development through job creation, income generation and poverty reduction. The study added to the growing available body of literature on the use of horticultural value chains to promote local Economic Development.