By Patience Gondo
A citrus farm in Beitbridge West that was once fiercely resisted by surrounding communities is now emerging as a source of employment for local youths after management announced a new recruitment drive for contractual workers.
Marema Citrus Farm, trading as Toppick Investments, was hiring youths aged 20 and above for various contractual positions at the farm.
“No formal qualifications are required for applicants,”the farm said in their vacancy notice.
Women were encouraged to apply as part of efforts to widen employment opportunities within surrounding communities.
The development marks a major turning point for villagers from areas such as Kwalu, Zezani, Machuchuta, Ndambe and Masera, who initially opposed the establishment of the farm when owner Erasmus Marema moved into the area more than a decade ago.
Press reports in 2016 said when the project was introduced, tensions quickly escalated as villagers accused Marema of taking over grazing land and restricting access to water sources linked to Zhovhe Dam.
The resistance became so intense that there were threats to destroy the perimeter fence surrounding the property, forcing authorities and government officials to intervene.
At the height of the dispute, many residents questioned whether the investment would bring any meaningful benefits to the community.
Marema however remained adamant that the project would eventually transform livelihoods in the area through agriculture and employment creation.
Speaking during an earlier interview in 2016, Marema reflected on the challenges he faced when establishing the farm, saying people often fail to appreciate a vision before seeing tangible results on the ground.
Despite the resistance, the farmer proceeded with developing the property and invested more than US$500 000 into the project.
By 2016, he had already placed an initial 105 hectares under healthy crop production, laying the foundation for one of the area’s growing citrus enterprises.
The latest recruitment exercise is now being viewed by many locals as evidence of the economic opportunities that large-scale agricultural investment can bring to rural communities.
Residents from villages that once opposed the project are now among those expected to benefit from the available jobs, particularly at a time when unemployment continues to affect many young people in Beitbridge and surrounding districts.
As workers continue to be recruited for the expanding citrus operation, Marema Citrus Farm’s journey from community resistance to job creation is being seen by many as a reflection of how long-term agricultural investments can gradually win public confidence through visible results and economic inclusion.