According to NGO projects Niassa’s climate is ideally suited to growing apples and pears and these were in fact produced on a large scale before the war. Now, however, the only apples available are those imported from South Africa or Zimbabwe and sold at a very high price. Money that should remain within the province is thus being sent to foreign countries because Niassa’s agricultural potential is not being fully realised. Moreover, the high price of these fruit prevents the poorest people from benefitting from the fruits’ vitamins and minerals, which would provide a valuable dietary supplement. However, a project to grow apples and pears, whilst commercially viable in the long-term, needs an initial input of considerable financial and educational resources. New varieties of saplings must be imported as the local trees were neglected during the war and do not produce fruit of a high standard. People must also be educated as to how to grow and tend these fruit trees.
- Reduce imports
- Reduce prices
- Job creation