A former soldier in north-eastern Lunda Sul province, Angola, is working on large scale pineapple cultivation and a project to find markets for his agricultural produce.
Armindo Moreira's farm produces pineapple and vegetables. The results so far obtained point in the right direction, giving confidence that the agricultural sector in Angola could boost the country's economy.
The farm covers 1000 irrigated hectares, 200 of which grow pineapple. Harvest has been good, but the market has been tough, prompting the farmer to consider alternative solutions.
The farmer has been supplying pineapple to the diamond mining Sociedade Mineira de Catoca that is its main buyer. But other markets like the municipality of Lucapa, in further north Lunda Norte province have been good destinations.
Much of the harvest ends up rotting away, due to lack of market as the amount sold in the province's capital city, Saurimo, is insignificant.
In an effort to expand the market, Armindo Moreira is negotiating with hotels, stores and supermarkets in other provinces.
The 200 hectares yield 100 to 150 tons a month and the farmer is considering preparing another 70 hectares for pineapple. The undertaking employs 20 people, mostly women.
According to him, production costs are much higher than the yields, which makes the business record shortfalls.
The farmer is also considering opening a fruit processing plant and expand the cultivation area to 400 hectares, seeking to reach 200 tons of pineapple a month.
To this end, he added, he has applied to the Government of Lunda Sul and the National Institute of Support for Medium and Small Business (Inapem) for credit to open the factory to produce pineapple juice, syrup and pulp.
Armindo Moreira said he is also considering turning to cabbage, carrots, maize, cucumber, lettuce and watermelon in a bid to diversify crops and generate more jobs.
Source: allafrica.com
