Tapuwa Mashangwa
THEY say that good things come to those that wait and there is no sector to which this saying can be better applied than in agriculture.

From acquiring seeds, planting, irrigation, fertilisation, weed, pest and disease control up to the moment of harvesting, patience is a requisite for farming.

Among all the produce from farming, be it in crop production or animal breeding, fruit production is one of the most time consuming efforts before harvesting begins.

Some fruit trees like the paw-paw and mango take between three to five years before harvesting can commence.

Despite the time investment prerequisite with growing some fruits, it is quite lucrative once the trees or plants mature enough to produce fruit. There are very few national producers of fruits. Not only is there a market for the fruits but there is also another market for processed fruit, which can be sold within in Zimbabwe or internationally.

Fruit trees encompass grapes, mangoes, lemons, oranges, pears, strawberries, pomegranate, grapefruit, guavas, passion fruit, leach, watermelon, avocados, banana, huckleberry, apricot, jabutica, peach, bilberry, jujube, persimmon, blackberry, juniper berry, blackcurrant, plum, pineapple, coconut, raspberry, cranberry, date, damson, mulberry, star fruit, mandarin, tamarind, tangerine and others.

It is important in agriculture to begin first and foremost with market research. Market research works as a basic guide for what to plant or produce and how much of it to supply for the market.

Some markets may require the fruit before it reaches maturity. Specificity of the fruit variety is essential for example on the international market the avocado variety known as Hass is largely produced and supplied by Mexico.

Some markets may be too large for one farmer to supply so farmers can form a cooperative specialising in the production of a specific fruit hence meeting the market volume demand and this collaborative effort stimulates the sharing of ideas and fosters innovation.

Irrigation methods for fruit trees and plants mutually depend on the water source and the recommended irrigation method for the tree or plant. Common irrigation methods for fruit trees and fruit plants encompass flood irrigation, drip irrigation, furrow irrigation and sprinkler irrigation.

For example banana trees can be grown utilising flood irrigation and drip irrigation can work for watermelon production.

Fruit trees require an efficient fertilisation programme. Nutrient deficiencies easily affect shell growth and strength, taste, fruit size, fruit flesh firmness and tree/plant flowering. It is for this reason that soil testing before planting is important.

The posterior fertilisation programme recommended following soil testing is correspondent to fruit tree nutrient and soil requirements. On average soil testing can cost between $20 to $40, which is insignificant compared to the profit achievable. Many farmers overlook soil testing yet its undertaking can considerably improve yields and increase the resistance to diseases and pests of the trees and plants.

Tree and fruit management is also essential. Papaya roots will die off in oversaturated and poorly drained soils such as depressions or basins as a result of a lack of aeration. In oranges bursting may result from an uneven growth rate, which is particularly associated with heavy rainfall or irrigation when the fruit is maturing.

In apples fruit colour development is delayed when nitrogen levels are too high and simultaneously apple size increases with higher nitrogen levels and the fruit tends to result in less firm fruit flesh. Pruning a mango sapling should be done after a flush (period of rapid growth) and after the new leaves have turned dark green.

Every fruit tree has its own particularity for its successful harvest and storage. In mangoes the fruits tend to ripen earlier, say 110 to 115 days in hot and dry areas. The days are also dependent on the mango variety.

According to Stella Cubison and Julia Tant, pears can be ripened-off indoors, but storage life is considerably shorter than for apples and most varieties will not keep for more than two months in a cool place.

For strawberries when fruiting has completely finished, one should trim back the old leaves to 5cm above the crown to allow fresh ones to develop. Not only are there profits in selling the unprocessed fruit but also in selling processed forms of the fruits.

A number of these fruits can be used to make fruit juice, yoghurt, jam, ice creams and cakes. The possibilities are limitless. It all takes prayer, innovation, shear will, determination and persistence to be a successful fruit supplier.

The writer is Engineer Tapuwa Justice Mashangwa, chief consultant at Emerald Agribusiness Consultancy based in Bulawayo. He can be contacted on +263739096418 and +263771641714 and email; [email protected]