Apples and Peach commercial production has mostly been thought of as not suitable for Zambian soils of geographical location. A notion had been created which has hindered most emerging farmers from engaging in growing these ‘exotic’ fruits for fear of losing their capital.
But the Zambian Business Times – ZBT can disclose that Zambia currently has a locally based and thriving Apple and Peach Farmer. Lionel Martin is one of the successful farmer in apple and peaches production. Martin started apple and peach farming in 2014, which at the time was just a trial, looking at the historical and climatic conditions in Zambia.
Speaking to ZBT in an exclusive interview, Lionel Martin stated that he first imported about 1,000 peach trees from South Africa costing about K300 per tree in 2014. In 2015, he imported about 100 apple trees costing also about K300 per tree.
He told ZBT that Apple and Peach production started then and has been going on well. Martin Lionel continued to import trees every year, except for this year due to the covid 19 pandemic, which has made importing of trees logistically challenging.
When asked about the total cost of production per hectare, Martin stated that one hectare of land can support about 1,283 trees with the spacing of 4×2 meters. The purchasing of trees will cost about K200,000. Martin stated that has 3 and a quarter hectare of land that he is using to plant both peaches and apples.
But Apple and Peach trees are also affected by drought. “Due to the drought that the country faced in 2015 and 2016, these 2 years production did not go well, some of my trees Andre plants dried up”. Martin had a challenge with water during the drought because the farm is not located near large water sources and 27 plants where destroyed by the termites. However, the situation was controlled.
Apple trees take 2-3 years to reach fruit maturity. In the third year of harvesting, the farm produced about 1 tonne of apples. Martin sells the apples as well the peaches to the local market and supply to fruit and vegetables stores.
Martin told ZBT that Zambia has all the resources and conditions needed to attain good yields in Apple and Peach production. There is of course some field maintenance that needs to be applied to apple production, but I can tell you it is possible to grow apples in Zambia with the existing climatic conditions and with the right variety.
To get more details on Apple and Peach production, contact ZBT via email: info@zambianbusinesstimes.com
