SAMUEL NJINGA RECENTLY IN MWENEZI
The marula/ mapfura processing and value addition project, which was officially launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa two years ago, has transformed lives in the drought stricken southern district of Masvingo.
About 128 locals are employed at the plant, which stands out as one unique example of rural industrialization in the nation.
Local farmers are also benefiting from the plant, which produces juices, wine, snacks, oil and stock feeds.
“In terms of employment we employed 128 people of which 14 were outsiders while the rest were directly employed from Mwenezi district,” the CEO of National BioTechnology Authority, Deckster Tonny Savadye,told Business Times.
He added: “The project has been very successful because we managed to empower the community by buying the fruit (from them).”
Savadye also indicated that the plant was being upgraded to achieve higher output.
“We are upgrading the factory so that it is fully automated. We are currently working with Masvingo Polytechnic to produce improved products of the fruit,” Savadye said.
Mwenezi Rural District CEO, Albert Chivanga, applauded the project.
He said: “We have managed to get more levies. This has helped us to improve our service delivery to the community. About 1 500 families are subscribing to this project. It is such that on average a farmer is able to get US$150-US$300 every season. Villagers continue to benefit every season as they sell the fruit at US$5 for a 50kg,” Chivanga said.
Following the success of the Mwenezi Mapfura project, the government has now embarked on a similar project in Muzarabani, although this one is for masawi.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with Bindura University of Science and Technology and Masvingo Polytechnic.
The National BioTechnology Authority gives out Mapfura tree seedlings to the locals as part of the afforestation project to protect and preserve the environment.
Mapfura wine is a natural beverage hence cheap and happens to be of great benefit to health.
The fruit tree grows naturally without need for fertilisers or chemicals hence the wine product does not therefore have any chemical residue that could affect drinkers.
