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Business Reporter
THE Covid-19 pandemic’s negative impact has been felt on most local business operations and macadamia nuts farming in Chipinge District has not been spared, the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has said.
AMA said there has been a marked decline in the trade of the green diamond this year compared to last season owing to low business activity that has characterised the national lockdown.
Since they are a high value export commodity whose increasing demand is coming largely from Europe, AMA provincial inspector Mrs Rose Rosario said macadamia nuts business had been affected owing to travel restrictions under the national lockdown which limited the movement of people.
This, she said, resulted in most farmers failing to meet this year’s set target for the potentially lucrative crop.
Chipinge District has over 500 registered macadamia nuts farmers who produce 10 000 metric tonnes of the crop, with a potential to generate foreign currency for the country.
Online Reporter