Chongwe avocado farmers see bright future
Written by Millennium on June 29, 2019
CEASAR MBEWE writes
ORGANIC Hass avocado farmers in Chongwe district have thanked Solidaridad Network Foundation for continued support under its fruit and vegetable project.
One of the appreciative farmers, Kelly Kalolo, said avocado had a lot of business in Zambia.
Mr Kalolo said so far the effort Solidaridad has shown to the farmers had been helpful and he was happy with the organization.
“Solidaridad has been helpful towards us organic avocado farmers, the information they provide to us on this fruit is proving to be working,” Mr. Kalolo
Another farmer Mr. Adai Nzonzo said avocado farming was a good business despite having some challenges in terms of marketing it.
Mr. Nzonzo said Hass avocados were not like other avocados when it came to size but were also the most nutritious.
“Hass Avocados are not big in size so on the local market it’s a bit tricky to sell but once people know how highly nutritious they are they get to appreciate this amazing fruit and we are thankful to Solidaridad for helping us on the production and market levels,” Mr. Nzonzo said.
And Deborah Phiri the only Hass Avocado woman farmer in the area said it was better than growing leaf vegetables because it had less stress and could be done part time basis while maintain a good income.
Ms. Phiri hoped that more women could come on board and start to make money out of avocado fruits as it had so much to offer in terms of nutrients.
Meanwhile the project manager Mr. Friday Siwale said the organization would continue to support avocado small-scale farmers.
Mr. Siwale said there was need for women and youths to get into agriculture and start to make money instead of just depending on government jobs that were getting fewer and fewer.