Can plants live and produce fruit for 50 years? Yes, a pineapple plant can live for 50 years. Although we refer to it as a pineapple, it is a berry, not an apple or pine. Another fact about pineapple is that the process of postharvesting pineapple is comparatively complicated, and about 20 percent suffer damage during harvesting and processing. Interestingly, Rwanda has established the Tuzamurane Cooperative to mitigate these losses. Though the Tuzamurane cooperative exists, some small-scale farmers cultivate pineapple in Rwanda. Is this Tuzamurane Cooperative enough to solve the problem of all pineapple production, or is it removing the entry field of other investors or enterprises? Let’s explore this within this article.

The Tuzamurane Cooperative is based in Kirehe District, Eastern Rwanda. This cooperative is a beacon of hope for female farmers, providing them with horticultural skills, market access, and savings schemes to improve their livelihoods. The impact is profound, with women members reporting significant increases in their income. This financial boost has enabled them to send their children to school, pay for health care, and buy land. These women, who once struggled to grow and sell pineapples on a small scale for low prices, now see them fetching a reasonable rate and generating decent profits for both the farmers and the cooperative society. 

Inyange Industries processes the co-operative’s pineapples for juicing, directly or through in-house drying, further boosting their income and the local economy. At first, they produced fresh pineapples for the regional market. They then increased their operations. They developed a factory estimated to be worth Rwf400 million for processing peeled and sliced pineapple. These pineapples are sun-dried, then packed and exported to France and Europe—the cooperative wishes to export to more markets than these, including America and Asia. In 2022, Rwanda yielded 20.9 kt of pineapples, above last year’s production. Historically, the volume of output peaked in 2019 at 36.4 kt. Forecasts predict that fresh pineapple production in Rwanda will continue to rise. Production in volume terms is expected to reach 37,150 tons by 2026.Farmers of Rwanda—Lianrin, who has worked in Rwanda’s Tuzamurane for a long time, said, “Generally, pineapples do best in a warm, humid climate with full sun on days with cool nights.” 

Rwanda’s tropical climate encourages crop growth. He also said that Rwanda has additional circumstances ideal for pineapple cultivation. Furthermore, well-drained, sandy loam soil contains a high concentration of organic matter, making it the optimal soil type. Pineapple cultivation thrives in slightly acidic soils with pH levels ranging from 4.5 to 6.5. 

Infected acidic soils prevent soil-borne illnesses while increasing iron availability to plant roots. Pineapples require a sufficient water supply during their growth. Under suitable conditions, pineapples can tolerate partial shade. To avoid waterlogging and root damage, proper internal drainage is essential.

Pineapples are extensively grown in several provinces of Rwanda, including the Western, Northern, Southern, and Eastern. The significant variety grown in Rwanda is the queen pineapple, known for its sweet and acidic taste, which consumers love. These pineapples are cylindrical, with fruit taping to the crown, assuming the appearance of a cone. They weigh, on average, 3 to 6 pounds and have a tightly grouped crown of green, smooth, stiff, pointed-tipped leaves. 

The second variety of pineapples grown in Rwanda is the smooth cayenne, which is juicy, very sweet, and has a yellow interior. Its outside body is soft and, compared to the Queen, possesses a thinner layer underneath the flesh. Also grown in Rwanda is the Sugarloaf Pineapple, which is cone-shaped and sweetly tropical. These unique flavors make Rwandan pineapples a must-try for any pineapple enthusiast.

Many people worldwide take pineapple for its health benefits. Rwanda ranked 47th among 75 countries regarding pineapple production, though statistics show this is only one of the top-producing countries in the pineapple sector 

1. Pineapples are low in calories but packed with nutrients and vitamins. In one cup or 165 grams of pineapple chunks, one will find Vitamin C. It improves your immune system to help against cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. 
2. Manganese provides bone health and a better response to the immune system and metabolism. Vitamin B6, Copper, Thiamine, Folate, Potassium, Magnesium, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, and Iron: All the rest of these are crucial for overall health.
3. Pineapples contain antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress. These have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. 
4. Flavonoids and phenolic acids in pineapples contribute to the health benefits mentioned above. 
5. Bromelain helps aid digestion found in papaya. This enzyme helps digestion, especially when consuming meat [1].

However, though the Tzamure cooperation exists, other farmers, like small-scale farmers, engage with it. Many challenges hinder the growth of pineapple production in Rwanda. Tuzamurane faced several challenges, such as the significant knowledge of best practices in agriculture, access to a market for fresh pineapple, low prices for produce in Rwf40/kg, and no quality seeds. 

1. First, if a new organization comes up with solutions to this problem, it can add some new value and make a partnership business with Tzamure cooperation. 
2. Besides, there is a mind-blowing, innovative approach. Pineapples have been hard to collect for a long time, and many parts of the pineapple just go to the dustbin, so by recycling them into new things, any organization can add value. One thing is turning pineapple leaves into plant-based textiles, which is now common among companies. These textiles are eco-friendly and offer an alternative to traditional fabric. 
3. Besides enzymes in pineapples, especially bromelain, acting as a natural cleaner, using pineapple peels to scrub surfaces or remove stains can also be another option, which can play a vital role. 

Rwanda’s pineapple industry has seen significant growth, with exports to Europe and plans to expand to America and Asian countries. The top pineapple exporters globally are Costa Rica, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States. The favourable climate and environment are also supportive enough, so if investors can take these approaches, they can ensure a different additional value in society and have a profitable business, or they can ensure a long-term partnership through cooperation.