Former Confederation of Zimbabwe President for Manicaland Chapter, Henry Nemaire, said banana production had nosedived from 120 000 to the current 80 000 tonnes annually.
He attributed the slump to a lack of expertise by farmers who grabbed the banana estates during the fast-track land redistribution campaign in 2000.
“Some of the people who benefitted during the land reform programme lack expertise and skills,” he said, adding that lack of financial support and obsolete farming equipment were also contributing to the growing decline in banana production.
He urged financial institutions to help small-scale farmers. “Banks and other financial institutions should assist the small-scale farmers with loans to procure new equipment and boost production,” he said.
A local small-scale banana farmer, Levy Mumba, who operates near Matanuska in Burma Valley said farmers who grabbed former white-owned banana estates were largely to blame.
“I have been working with commercial farmers for years and we have been doing well. Today, production has gone down because those who have taken over the estates lack skills and finances to run the business. I am doing well but I need capital and space to increase production,” said Mumba, who operates a six hectare banana farm.
As an export crop and also for local consumption, bananas play a significant role in the economy. Worldwide demand is increasing.
Post published in: Agriculture