Chipo Katsidzira Manicaland Correspondent
FARMERS in Manicaland Province have been challenged to increase pineapple production following the opening of a canning plant in Mutare.

A Mutare-based food processing and canning company, Associated Foods in Zimbabwe, has opened up a window of opportunities for pineapple farmers across the province by establishing the plant.

Chimanimani and parts of Chipinge are ideal for the production of pineapples.

Acting Manicaland provincial development coordinator Mr Edgars Seenza told The Herald that Associated Foods Zimbabwe was importing pineapples from neighbouring Mozambique as local farmers were failing to satisfy its needs.

“Having realised that Associated Foods Zimbabwe in Mutare needs pineapples, an arrangement was made between Manicaland and Manica provinces to import pineapples from Mozambique,” he said.

“The company requires more than 200 tonnes of pineapples per year. Now we have managed to import 120 tonnes in order to meet the requirements.”

Mr Seenza said the company was contracting farmers in Chimanimani to grow pineapples.

“Some farmers have been contracted by Associated Foods Zimbabwe to grow pineapples, but unfortunately they were affected by the cyclone in Chimanimani,” he said.

“We urge the farmers in Manicaland to increase pineapple production and take advantage of the ready market.”

Government has been preaching the gospel of value addition for some time and the growing of pineapples and their processing into juice will go a long way in adding value to the fruit.