E20 000 ANNUAL BOOST FOR RURAL HOMES IN FRUIT PROJECT

MBABANE – Rural homesteads of Eswatini will soon be saving at least E20 000 yearly each from a fruit trees project.

This will apply to members of different associations, with 100 members from each of the royal kraals in the country which joined the programme. The members are limited to grow 10 fruit trees, their types being determined by the climate condition of the eligible royal kraals. For example, the associations grow apples, litches and mangoes among other fruit trees. The project, which was initiated by the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO), with the aim of reducing poverty, will see the eligible EmaSwati enjoying the fruits of their hard work from next year. A survey that was conducted by this publication last Friday reflected that the majority of EmaSwati were on the right track with regard to managing the fruit trees since the commencement of the project.

Interviewed farmers registered their hopes that they would be supplying markets by next year. Susan Zwane, a member of Asafundzile EmaSwati Fruit Trees Multi Purpose, said she had a challenge with three trees since she planted 10.
She alleged that two of the litchi trees were stolen while one dried up. Zwane said she had since replaced the trees due to the strict regulations. She said the project policy required that farmers should replace the trees if they happened to dry up. “We were told that we should maintain the number of trees (10),” she said. Asked about the cost of a tree, Zwane said the prices differed but she bought the trees at E90 each from SEDCO. She said the association chose the Chairman of the association, John Mamba, to work closely with the farmers in order to make sure that they did not lose the trees due to negligence.

She revealed that Mamba was assisting the farmers with the application of fertilizer and pesticides. Zwane said the chairman was also using his experience in trimming the flowers from the trees since they were not yet ready to produce the anticipated fruit. When called for comment, Mamba said he volunteered the services because he wanted to see the project being a success. “As we speak, I am busy with an orchard,” he said briefly. On another note, Sophie Malindzisa said she never encountered any problem since she planted the trees. Malindzisa said she just applied compost and water as they were taught during the workshop.

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