Ripple Africa started its fruit tree project in 2007 and grows improved citrus, mango, guava, papaya and avocado trees in Nkhata Bay District, Malawi. While some fruit trees grow naturally in Africa, trees are often poorly managed, and some fruit trees suffer from viruses which mean they do not produce fruit. Ripple Africa has established improved fruit trees which:

• produce a greater crop yield
• have a stronger resistance to viruses
• are of a much better quality

All fruit trees are for the benefit of the community and, in time and with proper care, produce enough fruit for community members to eat and to sell for profit.

Any kind of tree planting project is hugely important to the environment in Malawi; however, fruit tree planting in particular creates a natural incentive for people to protect their trees as a fruit tree provides both food and income.

Ripple Africa’s fruit tree planting project is also an important way of improving nutrition. In Malawi, malnutrition is a large cause of death among children, and poor diet can lead to general ill health and disease. Many people in Malawi go hungry and survive only on a staple carbohydrate called nsima (a porridge made from either maize or cassava), severely lacking many of the important vitamins and minerals which fruit can provide. Free access to a variety of fruit at household level improves the health of vulnerable rural families.

Lastly, because Ripple Africa’s improved fruit tree project produces fruit of a higher quality, fruit from one of Ripple Africa’s fruit trees is highly competitive at market, especially some varieties such as oranges and tangerines which are rarely grown in the area. The value of access to a sustainable income stream for a poor rural family cannot be underestimated!

We manage a specialist community fruit tree nursery and we have planted thousands of improved fruit trees including mango, orange and papaya. Thousands of households benefit from fruit trees each year.

Our fruit trees are grown from infancy in Ripple Africa’s special fruit tree nursery at Mwaya so that Ripple Africa staff can manage the delicate budding and grafting process. This requires specialist knowledge, and we have trained local people to take on this role. From there, fruit trees go to one of the following:

• They are planted in Ripple Africa’s improved fruit tree orchards at Mwaya.
• They are given to community groups whom Ripple Africa help to grow, plant, and look after their fruit trees.
• Fruit trees are given to farmers and their families as part of Ripple Africa’s Tree Planting project.
• Fruit trees are given to local Primary and Secondary Schools to plant and teach students the importance of tree planting and the environment.

We are now establishing fruit tree nurseries with community groups who can grow some fruit trees from seed such as papaya.

We continue to support families and community groups to plant and care for fruit trees.

We are now establishing fruit tree nurseries with community groups who can grow some fruit trees from seed such as papaya. They are regularly visited and supported by our trained fruit tree team to ensure the trees are cared for and ultimately, bear fruit.