By JONAS MISELO
AGRIPRENEUR Foundation has planted 750 Hass avocado trees at Kalamba Primary School, Muyembe Primary School, and Kachema Musuma Orphanage to promote sustainable income generation and improve the welfare of learners through agricultural entrepreneurship in Kawambwa district in Luapula province.
Agripreneur Foundation Executive Director Scott Montel says the project is thanks to a grant from Global Environmental Small Grants Programme and is designed to be self-sustaining, as the trees will begin producing avocados in one or two years, allowing the schools to generate income from sales.
“The goal is for the schools to reinvest the funds from the project. Each tree, within a year or two, will bear a few hundred fruits, with each avocado selling for K10. This means that each school can generate between K100,000 and K200,000 per year, all of which will directly benefit the learners,” Mr Montel explained.
Chief Munkanta of the Chishinga people in Kawambwa District welcomed the initiative, stating that the project would bring multiple benefits to both the schools and the surrounding community.
“People will gain valuable knowledge about the benefits of avocados, including their nutritional and cosmetic uses. Since this project is being implemented in schools, it will be highly educational for pupils. The early maturity of the Hass avocado variety will also encourage more people in the community to start growing it,” Chief Munkanta said.
Meanwhile, Sister Maria Katonkola, who oversees Kachema Musuma Orphanage, expressed gratitude to Agripreneur Foundation, emphasizing that the project would help sustain the orphanage once the trees start bearing fruit.
Ntumbachushi Secondary School Headteacher Danny Chonganya also highlighted the positive impact of the initiative, stating that the income from avocado sales would be used to provide essential supplies such as pens and books for pupils who struggle due to the area’s economic challenges.
“This project will make a huge difference for our learners. Many students lack basic necessities, and the proceeds from selling avocados will help us support them,” Mr Chonganya said.
The avocado project is expected to not only provide financial relief for the schools but also inspire agricultural entrepreneurship among learners and the broader community.-NAIS
