Botswana farmers confident about commercial apple production

BusinessTech Africa understands that the Ministry of Agriculture in Botswana said farmers are looking to start the commercial production of apples.

This is the view shared by the country’s ministry of agriculture, as apple farming in the country was a challenge as a result of unfavourable weather conditions.

Farmers Weekly has it that local farmers in Botswana are confident after the introduction of semi-arid varieties of apple trees suitable for local conditions.

The newly introduced varieties, which include Anna, Golden Dorsett, and Pink Lady apples, can survive hot summers and winter frost, according to the company supplying the apple trees.

According to the company, data from major retail outlets in the Southern African nation indicate that there is a demand for a minimum of 10t of apples per week. These were currently imported, mostly from neighbouring South Africa.

“Based on results achieved by many farmers during the past five years, it will be possible to stop importing apples and consume locally grown apples,” said Thomas Jaravaza of Tomapple Investments.

“For the past five years, almost 10 000 trees have been supplied to different farmers across the country. To produce the volume of apples needed to meet annual demand, and to also cater for locally produced apple products such as apple juice, apple cider vinegar, and dried fruit, we need to plant at least 20 000 apple trees.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the government said the ministry had initiated a new strategy for horticulture, adding that it was expected to also promote apple farming.

“Apple production is included as an important avenue for investment by private investors,” the ministry said in a statement.

Tomapple Investments, a Botswana-based company, was responsible for producing apple tree seedlings suitable for local conditions.

In a statement, the company said it was confident the country would see an increase in the number of farmers venturing into commercial apple production, thereby reducing reliance on imports of the fruit.