Rapid commercialisation of amacimbi in Matabeleland

Trisa Ray Sibanda

Rural communities in Matabeleland are increasingly going commercial with popular age-old delicacy,  mopane worms (amacimbi).

In the past, amacimbi were mainly harvested for the villagers’ subsistence but lately communities have seen the commercial value of the delicacy and are taking advantage of it.

Residents in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North say this year’s mopane worms outbreak has been one of the largest in recent years.

Melody Moyo, a Tsholotsho resident, said villagers have struck gold as they sell locally and export part of their harvest to pay school fees for their children and meet other domestic needs.

” This year, there has been an abundance of mopani worms in this area and we  benefit a lot from them. They have become a reliable source of livelihood for many. We export some to  South Africa and Botswana for good profits,” said Moyo.

Chief Conrad Hadebe Magama of Tsholotsho hailed amacimbi as  an open resource that everyone can have access to.

He said the mopane worms create seasonal employment for locals as well as serving as a medium of exchange in barter trade. The Chief revealed that amacimbi are exchanged for clothes, school exercise books, food and other goods that villagers cannot otherwise pay for.

“Amacimbi have helped the people as they harvest, process and sell them so that they can eke out a living,” said chief Magama.

Sibongile Mpala, another Tsholotsho resident said selling the mopane worms has been a revelation that has enabled her to pay school fees for her children who had stopped going to school because she could not afford the fees. 

” I am a single mother and have been struggling to make ends meet for the past five years since the death of my husband  but the proceeds from amacimbi sales have helped me send my three children back to school. After harvesting amacimbi I travel to Bulawayo to sell them. There is a good market there,” said Mpala. 

Mpala revealed a secret that gives her the edge over others in the mopani worm business.

“What has always worked for me is that when most people are busy selling their mopane worms, I keep mine at home to avoid the competition. The competition usually leads to selling at a reduced price. When most people have sold out their stock and there are fewer people selling, I start selling mine at a profitable price,” said Mpala. 

In Lupane, “outsiders” reportedly  pay locals to harvest mopane worms. This reporter met with a group of Bulawayo residents who had organised themselves to travel to Lupane  and harvest amacimbi. They told this publication that each person contributes $5 usd so that they pay the locals to be allowed to harvest.

According to Bio Innovation Zimbabwe, a specialised research organisation focused on creating wealth amongst rural producers and consumers, amacimbi are a cheap source of protein. 

“They require only 3kg of feed to produce 1kg of worms; in contrast, cattle farming requires 10kg of feed to generate 1kg of beef. They also contain three times the protein content of beef by unit weight, and can be stored for many months.”

The  edible caterpillar, can be snacked on dry, fried or cooked.