HARARE - Production of coffee in Zimbabwes eastern highlands is being threatened as output has continued to nose dive since the advent of the chaotic land reform programme.Very few new farmers have shown interest in growing the crop and production has greatly declined in the last seven years.
The eastern highlands, particularly Nyanga, Vumba, Chimanimani and Chipinge, has
great potential for the crop and prior to the land reform programme, coffee played a pivotal role and contributed significantly to the national economy.
A considerable number of white commercial farmers, used to grow high quality coffee.
War veterans and Zanu (PF) supporters who invaded my property in Chipinge have destroyed all the coffee bushes at my farm. I used to plant 35 hectares of coffee every year, but now all the bushes have been substituted with maize and rapoko crops. It takes almost five years for a farmer to enjoy the fruits of coffee farming, said Raphael Harrison, the former owner of Milgew Farm.
One of the leading coffee producers in the country, Clearwaters has greatly reduced its coffee plantation from 40 to 18 hectares.
Post published in: News