The Tanzanian government seeks to inject a further USD 370 million into the agricultural sector to support initiatives to improve coffee production in the East African country. The government’s aim is to increase exports while ensuring sustainable farming practices that support local communities and ecosystems. The government also plans to launch coffee awareness campaigns and work with local companies to introduce Tanzanian coffee to cafes and restaurants across the country, in addition to providing around 20 million free coffee plants to local farmers to increase production of Arabica and other varieties.
In Tanzania, coffee contributes USD 250 million a year to the country’s export earnings, according to official figures. The government now seeks to inject a further USD 370 million into the agricultural sector to support initiatives to improve coffee production. The money will also be used to ensure that farmers have the tools and resources they need. The government is also providing around 20 million free coffee plants to local farmers to increase production of Arabica and other varieties.
The aim is to increase the value of agricultural products. I want us to increase exports so that we can earn foreign currency.
Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the Republic
According to the World Bank, around 95% of Tanzania’s coffee is produced by some 400,000 smallholders on plots averaging between one and two hectares. The government’s aim is to increase exports while ensuring sustainable farming practices that support local communities and ecosystems. The government also plans to launch coffee awareness campaigns and work with local businesses to introduce Tanzanian coffee to cafes and restaurants across the country.
This coming season we expect to export 85,000 tons of coffee from the 60,000 ton average over the last 3 years our productivity has increased.
Hussein Bashe, Minister of Agriculture
President Samia Suluhu Hassan attributes the recent increase in production to several factors, including improved farming practices, better access to quality seedlings and effective training programmes for farmers each year. The Tanzania Coffee Board on its part is working to increase local coffee consumption from 7% to at least 15%.
