HARARE, The Zimbabwe government has embarked on a programme to plant fruit trees in order to increase local production of citrus fruits, which are the moment supplemented by imports, says Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri.
She said here Thursday that it was not acceptable that Zimbabwe was importing fruits while the country had vast tracts of available land for production.
We are in the process of planting seedlings for fruit trees such as avocado pears, lemons and mangoes, and we are hoping also to go into cultivation of peaches and apples because currently we are importing fruits," she said.
Even Schweppes which is a leading processor is having to import the orange nectar which they bottle in Zimbabwe and that is unacceptable, given the land reform programme which we have launched, she added while addressing Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs at a meeting here.
Muchinguri-Kashiri said the programme, code-named Command Agro-Forestry, would go a long way towards reviving local fruit production. It also ensures that fruits which we need for our health and for our industry are available, she said.
The Forestry Commission is working with all stakeholders to ensure availability of fruit tree seedlings.
Zimbabwe has been flooded with imports of various fruits in recent years, with some imports finding their way into the country illegally.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK
