Goal: produce disease free planting material for deciduous fruit trees, (apples, peach and

plums)

Justification:

One way of improving the livelihoods of communal farmers is through availing disease
free planting material. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of vitamins A and C,
mineral salts and fibre. Communities which access fruits and vegetables are prone to
disease attack. HIV is less virulent in bodies which receive balanced diet and balanced
diet can be easily achieved if there is a proteins source and vitamin and energy source.

The contribution of fruits and vegetables to good health is not yet well received or
acknowledged in Zimbabwean communal areas. This is partly explained by ignorance
and lack of conscious awareness campaign backed by readily available disease free
planting material. Fruit production can be a low cost activity which could be realized
through use of organic material like compost, animal manure and very little amounts of
inorganic fertilizer. Healthy fruits trees do not attract a lot of insects and diseases. By the
same token sweet potato is also a low input cost favored by many Zimbabweans. A food
security crop, which can be used as abutter against hunger and malnutrion.

It is after realizing this knowledge gap and acknowledgement of the increasing demand
for disease free planting material that FARM TRUST and its partners have revolved to
ressuciated the Horticultural Research Centers Tissue culture laboratory, to avail disease
free planting material to the selected communal farmers of Ngaoni, Chipinge and
Marondera. The Horticultural Research Center has modest equipment and enthusiasm
stuff to see this project through. However few equipment, autoclave for stelising glass
ware media and other items need be sourced and lath house repair.

Activity 1: Multiplication of disease free planting material through tissue culture method.

Activity 2: Hardening of plantlets in the lath house

Activity3: Disposal of disease free planting material

Activity 4: Farmer Training using the following strategies

Farmer field school
Look and learn
Participatory approach
Establishment of demonstration plots
Exchange visits of farmers to facilitate the exchange of experiences and
information

Scope of work:
Site selection, land preparation, planting and planting methods and post establishment
management, inclusive of scouting methods and correct ways of handling chemicals.
Target areas:

Fruit trees Ngaoni (Chipinge)

Marondera
These were chosen on the basis of cool climate and prevalence of farmers who have
shown interest in deciduous fruit production