adminPost Correspondent
THE moribund Agricultural and Rural Development Authority Katiyo Tea processing factory in Mutasa is set to be converted into a macadamia nuts processing and value addition plant.
This was revealed during a tour of the plant last Wednesday by members of the Manicaland Joint Operations Committee.
ARDA chairman, Mr Basil Nyabadza, said they had two things in place, the first one being to revive the tea factory operations and the second o0ne being to process macadamia nuts.
“As ARDA, we are working under the public and private partnerships model as well as with communities reviewing projects that are market driven. There is serious off take of macadamia nuts and we are strongly considering setting up a macadamia nuts processing plant at Katiyo.
“We will also be happy if the proposal to establish a border post in Mutasa sails through as this will make it easy and cheaper to export through Beira.
“We hope to come up with a win-win situation which will be driven by competitiveness,” said Mr Nyabadza.
However, after having assessed the antiquated tea processing machinery in the factory, Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, was quick to shoot down the mere thought of reviving the tea processing unit.
“It is pointless to force production.
“Don’t you think what brought operations to a halt will remain the same issues that will continue dogging you? Macadamia nuts processing is clearly the future and I see no reason for you to wait on this project,” said Cde Chimene.
Honde Valley Smallholder Development Company managing director, Mr Shepstone Muzvidzwa, said currently they were steering a fruit market project at Hauna in conjunction with Eastern Highlands Plantation Limited.
He said the fruit market project would provide a ready market for farmers in the district which has a lot to offer from citrus fruits, plantation crops as well as horticultural produce.
“There is a lot of potential in this district and we just need Government assistance to get on track most of the earmarked projects for out-growers and subsistence farmers.
“Our vision is to develop Mutasa in the next five years and qualify for town status,” said Mr Muzvidzwa.
Online Reporter