Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE Hauna Banana Processing Plant in Manicaland is now 98 percent complete in terms of infrastructure, giving hope to thousands of small-scale farmers in the area.
The development is part of Government’s rural industrialisation programme, which aims to transform banana farming by promoting value addition and increasing farmers’ earnings.
In an interview, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Manicaland Provincial Development Officer, Mr Gabriel Jaji said the processing plant is expected to be operational soon.
He confirmed that Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is currently connecting electricity to the plant.
“We have made significant progress with the project. As we speak, ZETDC is currently connecting electricity to the plant. We are also in the process of procuring machinery from China to ensure that the plant is fully equipped, and operational as soon as possible and meet our target deadlines,” he said, adding that registration of the union that will oversee the plant’s operations is in progress.
“The cooperative registration process is also underway, and once completed, it will formalise the structure under which the plant will operate,” he said.
The factory is expected to directly benefit over 3 000 farmers from 60 banana-producing cooperatives in Honde Valley in Mutasa District.
Most of these farmers are women and youths, who have been struggling with low banana prices and post-harvest losses due to lack of processing facilities.
“More than 3 000 farmers will benefit from this initiative, which will, not only improve their incomes, but also create employment for locals,” said Mr Jaji.
Farmers in the area were suffering from losses as they transported their produce to markets in Mutare and Harare respectively, often dealing with middlemen who dictated low prices. The establishment of the factory is expected to eliminate these challenges by providing stable and competitive local market for their bananas.
“Farmers were losing a lot of bananas while transporting them to different markets in the country. This plant will help address those losses by processing bananas into various products like banana flour, chips, and oil extracted from banana peels,” he said.
Mr Jaji said the project is in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of rural industrialisation, through which small-scale farmers benefit from their produce through value addition and beneficiation.
“Honde Valley is known for producing high-quality bananas in large volumes, and the new processing plant will ensure that farmers get maximum returns. Rural industrialisation is key to empowering local communities. We expect the plant to be up and running by August. This is a great milestone for farmers in Honde Valley, and we are looking forward to seeing them benefit from this investment. It should also be known that the community is eagerly awaiting the commissioning of the plant, with high hopes that it will significantly improve their earnings and overall quality of life,” he said.
Farmers expressed optimism about the factory’s impact on their livelihoods, with many believing that the plant will put an end to the exploitation they have endured from middlemen and unstable markets.
Mrs Midhiya Mutamangira, of Radzokota Cooperative, said the operation of the plant will help to eliminate middlemen and increase their earnings.
“We are currently supplying our bananas to middlemen who transport them to various destinations across the country for resale. This processing plant will help to improve our earnings, and have ready market for our produce. The middlemen grade our bananas, and only buy big ones, but this plant will buy all types of bananas, meaning will have more money coming our way,” she said.
Online Reporter