Zimbabwe has one of the highest informal sectors in the world and effectively supporting them so that they can effectively contribute to economic development is a Herculean task. The greatest need is access to capital, but how do you provide capital to over 6 million entrepreneurs?
So ZBIN has come up with a number of projects to support access to capital with the biggest initiative being cruise ship jobs. Farming Madagascar Lima Beans is the second one.
Last time we reported progress in backyard farming and building stock banks. This has been successfully achieved with a few trying commercial farming on a small scale. We do not have anyone with an acre planted but very hopeful that in 2027 we will have a good number farming acres and some extending to hectares.
To new readers, The Madagascar Lima Beans are delicious beans originally from Madagascar and do come in 2 varieties. The most common is the speckled variety and then the white butter beans called Grois. The Grois Pois is very expensive with retail prices in South Africa ranging from $4-$8 depending on grade. A popular part of Chinese and premium restaurants.
Unlike sugar beans which only grow for a season. The lima can span several years up to 7-9 years. Non stop fruiting and harvesting and dot need fertilizer and herbicides.
We share below progress of photos. In case you need to join other farmers and getting seeds, we have a forum available to subscribed members.
