MWINILUNGA PINEAPPLES GO BEGGING -Kalene Hills Fruits Company holds hope for farmers
GIVEN Zambia’s predominantly farming nature, a substantial portion of the country’s revenue stems from its agricultural sector.
With limited industrial development, the pivotal role of agriculture as the catalyst for economic advancement becomes evident.
According to International Trade Administration, agriculture contributes about 19 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs three quarters of the population.
However, agricultural productivity alone holds little significance without comprehensive marketing expertise.
Marketing serves as the conduit that translates physical production into economic value.
Yet, the constraints facing pineapple cultivation in Mwinilunga district of North-Western Province remain pronounced due to persistent marketing challenges, exacerbated by the virtual collapse of the fruit cannery in 1992. This collapse significantly impacted the ability of farmers to vend their pineapple fruit in bulk, intensifying the predicament.
Once a vibrant center for pineapple canneries during the United National Independence Party (UNIP) government, the district experienced an economic downturn with the collapse of the cannery industry.
Raytone Mukalanga, a seasoned farmer and pineapple dealer, sheds light on the current state of affairs, revealing the distressing truth of wasted pineapple crops and the absence of a market for local farmers.
“Pineapples are in abundance, but farmers have nowhere to sell,” laments Mr Mukalanga, disclosing the dire situation faced by farmers in Mwinilunga and Ikelenge districts.
“These areas produce an excess of pineapples, resulting in a surplus that often rots unutilised in the fields. The absence of a market for these fruits perpetuates a cycle of financial hardship for local farmers, hindering the ability to expand farms and achieve sustainable growth in pineapple production,” he said.
Mr Mukalanga eloquently expressed how the rejuvenation of this sector could be a game-changer for the district.
“The revival of the pineapple cannery industry in Mwinilunga brings a ray of hope, offering a solution to the persisting challenge of market access for local pineapple farmers,”
Mr Mukalanga envisions improved transportation for farmers, increased production due to readily available markets, and an end to the struggle of selling pineapples at lower prices, especially when transported to urban centers like Lusaka.
“It is very sad if you go in the field right now, most farmers especially in the typical rural areas have nowhere to sell their produce, even if urban buyers from Lusaka are available, they often purchase the pineapples at prices that do not reflect the true value of the farmers’ hard work. When the industry is revived, the people will conveniently transport their pineapples and expand their farms, potentially boosting production due to the ready market. This addresses a common concern among pineapple farmers venturing into commercial farming. The rise of the industry will definitely signify a newfound market for farmers to sell the produce to the cannery, ensuring profits and encouraging more pineapple cultivation,” he explained.
The anticipated revival of the cannery industry holds promise not only for enhanced economic opportunities for local residents but also for the establishment of a market for locally made pineapple-based products.
Mwinilunga district commissioner, Harrison Kamuna, unveiled the saga of Mwinilunga’s ambitious pineapple history, delving into the grandeur and failures that marked the district’s journey.
“Mwinilunga stands as a colossal district in pineapple production,” said Mr Kamuna, casting light on the historical reverberations.
Mr Kamuna recalls the once-thriving industries established during the UNIP era, which, unfortunately, succumbed to looting and mismanagement, leading to their eventual collapse.
“In the bygone era of the UNIP Government, the once-promising industries established a pineapple factory. However, its demise welcomed a gloomy period, tarnished by mismanagement and personal greed. Workers were unpaid, and the company was looted as personal payment, they paid themselves in kind,” he said.
Mr Kamuna continued with enthusiasm, “Before the looting, we saw trucks filled with pineapples from Ikeleng’e and all areas of Mwinilunga converged for juice processing. But it collapsed and was forgotten, critiqued as unnecessary and bad business. The struggle was evident- lacking proper transportation and infrastructure for pineapple farmers, a venture that withered, becoming a less effective economic pursuit.”
Transitioning to a brighter note, Mr Kamuna emphasised the transformative shift under the New Dawn government.
“Recently, we witnessed a revival. Indians arrived, conducting feasibility studies and expressing intent to add value to pineapples, mangoes, and tomatoes. The prospect of harvesting and filtering the Lunga water for consumption became a reality. Employment bloomed for locals from the six chiefdoms as the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Kalene Fruit Factory emerged,” he explained.
Mr Kamuna’s voice rose with enthusiasm, “We aim to engage about 10,000 out-grower farmers, fostering an abundant supply of raw materials for the industry. With a workforce of 45 general workers and 12 professionals handling diverse services, our commitment to empowering the locals stands strong.”
“Challenges persist, primarily in the dilapidated feeder roads that connect the chiefdoms. We urgently implore the local government and relevant authorities for infrastructure development, now bolstered by increased CDF funds from the President,” he stressed, addressing hurdles.
Reflecting on the turbulent past, Mr Kamuna remarked, “When the UNIP government departed, unpaid labor triggered rebellion, leading to vandalism of the cannery industry’s property. This passive state endured until signs of rejuvenation emerged, encouraging renewed pineapple production.”
“The Government’s endorsement signals a new chapter for pineapple production, poised to breathe life into this vibrant industry,” he said optimistically.
Amid the challenges faced in Mwinilunga, the New Dawn government opened a pineapple refinery plant in the district.
In a bid to revamp the pineapple industry and restore Mwinilunga’s former economic glory, President Hakainde Hichilema inaugurated the Kalene Hills Fruits Company Limited last year.
The factory, designed as a multi-purpose facility, the plant is expected to produce pineapple juice as well as other fruit juices.
Unlike its predecessor which closed over three decades ago, the new plant will now produce a wide array of goods, including mango juice, tomato sauce, baked beans, peanut butter, flavored drinks, and mineral water, among others.
Although not fully operational, the Kalene Hills Factory is set to produce 24,000 metric tonnes of juice annually.
Upon its commissioning, the plant was expected to create about 150 direct jobs and 700 indirect jobs, and benefit 1,500 farmers through an out-grower scheme, with an expected increase to 5,000 farmers once fully operational.
President Hichilema, present at the event, urged the people of North-Western Province to boost agricultural production to sustain the company’s operations.
Mr Hichilema emphasised the need to replicate such initiatives in all 10 provinces to promote rural industrialisation, accelerate job creation, and foster wealth for the populace.
Stressing the government’s focus on projects with economic benefits, he vowed to prioritise crucial projects and boost the economy, aiming to reverse the damage incurred over the past decade.
President Hichilema encouraged leveraging the geographical advantage of North-Western Province for increased food production, catering to local consumption and the export market in neighboring countries.
Highlighting the current government’s commitment, power outages have become a thing of history, as President Hichilema pledged during the commission, ensuring stable power supply, essential for factory operations and economic growth.
Speaking at the same commissioning event, Henry Sakala, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) group chief executive officer, outlined the objective to invest in revamping the factory’s operations, aiming to establish a sustainable business providing a market for the farmers.
Mr Sakala emphasised IDC’s commitment to support the country’s industrialisation agenda through value addition, creating significant and sustainable employment opportunities for Zambians.
He said the establishment of multiple bulk collection centers to facilitate farmers across the province in selling their produce to the factory.
The establishment of the Kalene Hills Fruits Company Limited in the Mwinilunga district under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s economic development.
With its multi-purpose design and plans for diversified fruit processing, the factory will not only generate employment opportunities but also stands as a symbol of the government’s dedication to rural industrialisation.
This initiative not only seeks to revitalise an industry that has been dormant for over 30 years, but also sets a promising trajectory for regional growth, increased agricultural production, and the creation of a sustainable market for local farmers.
The factory’s inauguration not did not only signify progress in Mwinilunga district, but reflected a broader vision for national economic advancement under the current administration.
However, Mwinilunga District Commissioner Harrison Kamuna noted that the inaugurated fruit processing facility is not yet operating at optimal level.
“We have had the chances of the authorities in charge of the fruit factory explaining the prolonged delay of operations at the institution following the presidential commissioning, they cited engaging in bilateral relationships to secure funding for various operational aspects,” Mr Kamuna explained.
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