Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
NICARAGUA is keen to facilitate an exchange visit between local farmers and those from their country, in a development that will translate into better access to international markets, technology, agronomic knowledge, skills and best practices.
This, in turn, will enable and motivate local farmers to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of their produce and sell the products at higher prices.
Reliable market access also benefits national income growth, food security, and poverty and hunger alleviation.
Nicaraguan Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Cuthbert Nadeska, last week toured Tanganda Estates in Chipinge, GMB Coffee Mills, and Matanuska Banana plantations.
During her visit, she gained first-hand experience of how the local agricultural system is structured, and offered alternative pathways in sustainable agriculture to locals.
Her tour follows the visit of Vice President, General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga’s visit to the country last year to assess areas of cooperation.
“I was able to see three different aspects, starting with macadamia nuts, which are not very popular in Nicaragua. We also produce avocados, but I am learning more about the extraction of avocado oil, as it also helps reduce losses. The oil produced here is of good quality and is in demand on the international market.
“It was a good visit to understand the whole process of what is done here. There is something we can work on together and collaborate on, country-to-country. This is a very nice estate and a good company – the work they are doing is very impressive. In terms of collaboration between Nicaragua and Zimbabwe, there will be a lot. We will examine strategic alliances that we can pursue for the benefit of both countries,” she said after touring New Year’s Gift and Tingamira Estates, all run by Tanganda Tea Company.
Ambassador Nadeska had earlier on paid a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Mugadza, where she said her Government’s priority of fighting poverty resonated well with Zimbabwe’s quest to uplift the lives of citizens through agriculture.
“Nicaragua and Zimbabwe share historical similarities. We are both revolutionary governments, and our main goal is to fight poverty and ensure food security. It is important that we can learn from each other, share technologies, better understandings, and practices that can help improve our agricultural sector.”
“In Nicaragua, we now produce 90 percent of our food requirements, but we still know that there are opportunities for growth. We have a strong agricultural sector, especially in beef production, coffee, sugar, tobacco, sesame seeds, avocados, beans, and fruits, which we all export to 50 different countries, especially to the United States, Central America, and the European Union.
“We have a good location and climate. From this visit, we expect to be able to connect farmers in Nicaragua and Zimbabwe and find ways we can work together to improve both countries’ agricultural sectors,” said Ambassador Nadeska.
Minister Mugadza said Zimbabwe is open to cooperation with the Nicaraguan government for value addition of agricultural produce abundant in Manicaland, such as avocados, macadamia nuts, tea, bananas, and other crops.
“Nicaragua appears to be one of those nations with similarities to Manicaland and Zimbabwe in general. We produce 177 900 metric tonnes of bananas, with tea covering 3 800 hectares and a production of 7.6 million metric tonnes, exporting to all five continents of the world. We are also doing well in avocado production, with 12 800 hectares producing 2.6 metric tonnes.
In avocado production, we have companies that are now undertaking value addition.
“We would be happy if you could encourage your companies to come and work with us on avocado processing. Macadamia production is also an area that is doing well, with a production of 9 000 tonnes last year. We would be particularly thrilled to twin with one of your provinces, especially those that match our climatic conditions.
“We have ample water resources and fertile land. The province is dissected by several perennial rivers, and we can grow any crop here because we have all five ecological regions.
“About 65 percent of the province falls under regions 1 to 3, and 35 percent under regions 4 and 5. We have plenty of underground water, making us the right destination and place for farming projects,” said Minister Mugadza.
Provincial Director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Mr Nhamo Mudada said Government is committed to improving the agricultural sector through knowledge sharing with other countries.
“Tanganda is exporting avocados to the European Union, and they are exporting the best quality fruits. What remains is sent to the factory for oil extraction.
In the past, avocados that failed to meet export quality were left to rot and go to waste, but now they are being value-added.
“The province is now producing avocado oil.
“We are delighted that they are going to include other farmers, including smallholder ones in the province, as out-growers. We want to ensure that we do not lose any fruit due to failure to get markets.
“Under the Horticultural Recovery Plan, we need to boost our production and marketing in the sector. The visit by the Nicaraguan delegation shows the Government’s commitment to working with other governments to improve productivity. We are looking forward to having more avocado processing plants,” said Mr Mudada.
