Humpata: The municipality of Humpata, located in Huíla Province, is set to harvest up to 350 tons of apples by next May, capitalizing on the region's potential for tropical fruit production due to its altitude. The apple harvest began last January and has experienced a slight reduction, attributed to the administrative changes following Palanca's transition from a commune to a municipality. According to Angola Press News Agency, Helena José, head of the municipality's agriculture section, mentioned in an interview that the apple production is not only saturating local markets but also reaching other regions such as Namibe, Benguela, Cunene, and Luanda. While apples are produced throughout the municipality, the Neves commune remains the most prominent area for this cultivation. In addition to apples, 200 tons of pears have been harvested since December. Helena José noted that there is no overall production area due to the individual nature of farming, with each family owning between 10 and 150 fruit trees. T he production is carried out by both farms and farming families. Data from the Huíla Farming and Fisheries Office shows that the province produced 3,903 tons of fruit during the 2022/2023 campaign, which increased to 6,943 tons in the 2023/2024 campaign, excluding the commercial harvest, with a significant contribution from Humpata. The Humpata plateau, situated at an altitude of 2,000 to 2,300 meters, enjoys a temperate climate that favors agricultural activities, particularly the cultivation of tropical fruits. The main economic activities in the region include agriculture, tourism, and livestock farming.
