Zimbabwe: Coffee Output Plummets

AllAfrica Global Media ^ | 1 July 2010 | Bernard Mpofu

[george76]

ZIMBABWE'S coffee production has hit a record low since Independence following the chaotic land reform exercise that reduced coffee growing estates to four from 120.

Statistics gathered after a high level coffee stakeholder conference held last week in Mutare show that organic coffee production mostly in Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands pl-unged to 300 tonnes in 2010 from a peak production of 15 000 tonnes in 1990 when farmers raked in US$37,5 million from sales.

Production has been in freefall for the past 10 years, signalling a threat to the livelihood of both commercial and communal farmers ...

Today the coffee sector is moribund, with 300 tonnes produced in 2010...

Most of the coffee growing estates were taken over during the land reform exercise. Until we restore our record on property rights, production will continue to be on the decline. We now have four estates from 120

[truthguy]

Why don't we hear more about what's going on in Zimbabwe from the MSM?

Well I think we all know the answer to that. Where are all those good liberals who cheered on the changes in Rhodesia? Please somebody ask them what went wrong? How come the paradise they predicted never came about?

This is what makes me most angry. The MSM couldn't do enough stories about Rhodesia when Ian Smith was PM. It was on the news night after night. It was the outside world who forced the changes in what WAS a beautiful country. But now that things have imploded, the MSM is not to be seen. There are some stories in the British Press but the American Media is not to be found. What cowards the MSM are.

[truthguy]

Why don't we hear more about what's going on in Zimbabwe from the MSM?

Well I think we all know the answer to that. Where are all those good liberals who cheered on the changes in Rhodesia? Please somebody ask them what went wrong? How come the paradise they predicted never came about?

This is what makes me most angry. The MSM couldn't do enough stories about Rhodesia when Ian Smith was PM. It was on the news night after night. It was the outside world who forced the changes in what WAS a beautiful country. But now that things have imploded, the MSM is not to be seen. There are some stories in the British Press but the American Media is not to be found. What cowards the MSM are.

[Chode]

...AfricaWinsAgain

[happygrl]

“Site Closed”

[Tigerized]

“That may be because of the starvation going on there.”

Good point as to why they’re growing corn instead of coffee, starvation sure has a way of changing priorities. I’m no farmer, and I can’t presume why some crops are grown instead of others, but the shift from continuing with an established, marketable cash crop to one that is intended just for domestic consumption is pretty telling.

When the old farmers were run out of the country, they took a lot of knowledge with them. And it takes, what? A decade or so to re-establish coffee growing for export? I hope the people of Zimbabwe can wait that long...

[rrrod]

who drinks African coffee anyway?

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I think the article said at least 4 years before getting any beans. So yo’re probably right saying ten years before a real profit can be made.

[Chode]

didn't know that, thx...

[Chode]

try this cashed link... it works

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:uaAr5nsMPB4J:www.theothersideofkim.com/index.php/essays/36/+kim+dutoit+africa+wins+again&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

[raygun]

I do. I appreciate Zambian coffee. I'm trying to finger out how it works with: Sumatra Costa Rican (non pea-body) Kona Ethripreoprian Jamacain Blue Mountain

[GeronL]

same thing happened in Venezuela when Chavez nationalized the coffee industry

[Yardstick]

I didn’t realize Rhodesia had been a liberal cause. When was this? It definitely would be interesting to pose the obvious questions to someone who supported the change at the time.

[Yardstick]

?

[truthguy]

The story about the conversion of Rhodesia from to Zimbabwe is a long and painful story. It is beyond the scope of anything I could write here. It's also a tragic story and was completely predictable from the outset. It happened back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. All the liberal do-gooders were just estatic when Rhodesia converted over to Zimbabwe. They predicted paradise. Any intelligent person knew that the whole thing would be a catastrophe. And it's been a mega catastrophe. Now the MSM doesn't even do stories about Zimbabwe. I guess that don't’ want people to see the Emperor running around in his underwear.

[Yardstick]

Thanks, I might have to look into that.

[ctdonath2]

Quite. WWII happened because the National Socialists ran out of resources in Germany.

[TexasRepublic]

I hope all the advocates of “economic justice” starve to death - slowly.

[Chode]

GOOD link... google cache has it. pls let me know what you think

thx, Chode ...AfricaWinsAgain

[raygun]

Dude, that didn't make any sense I bet.

That was an image from the AF447 gallery

I do not know why I chose to post that image in that context.

What I do know is that I do like Zambian coffee. Perhaps that and my brain can't handle the difference between it and Zimbabwe. I'm not sure - I don't think they grow coffee in Zimbabwe.

Anyways, you should try Zambian coffee whenever you get the chance. Zambian coffee - and its farmers - totally oppressed by Zimbabwe officials. Zambian coffee is extremely good with Erythreeprioprian, Obamba-bean, and Costa Rica Pea body ground together - in proptortion - and a bit 'o chocolat.

Sorry 'bout that.

[Yardstick]

Okay, makes sense now, more or less.