Better farming practices increase coffee production in Rungwe

OVER 3,000 coffee growers in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, have benefited from the adoption of better agronomic practices which have increased coffee production in their localities.

 

This was made possible by a German-based foundation, Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS), which implements grassroots projects with smallholder coffee farmers in Mbeya Region. 

 

Coffee is one of the main cash crops in Tanzania’s southern highlands regions of Mbeya and Njombe, with recent studies showing that Mbeya is the leading region in in the country in producing good quality Arabica coffee, with an average of 12,000 to 15,000 tonnes per annum.

HRNS manager Webster Miyanda said Rungwe is one of the districts in Mbeya region leading in coffee production and helps to increase income and alleviate poverty among farmers.

 

He said in recent years HRNS’ training has benefited 3,300 coffee growers in the area, a move which has improved productivity, resulting in Sh8m in levy collection from coffee growers last year by Rungwe District Council.

 

However, coffee smuggling remains a challenge, leading the council to lose million of shillings in revenue.  

 

Rungwe District Council Chairman Ezekiel Mwakota admitted to revenue loss, saying at least 130 tonnes of coffee were smuggled every year.

“This is a challenge that needs to be settled because we will not tolerate illegal business to take place in our council,” Mwakota said.

 

HRNS aims at improving the lives of smallholder farmers in coffee growing regions, as well as establishing and improving their working and living conditions.  

 

This will help to address the challenges associated with protection of natural resources, climate change and biodiversity.

 

 HRNS recognizes the importance of treating environmental, social, and economic factors in an integrated manner.

 

Reports from the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) show that Mbeya has 51,000 hectares of coffee farms and that the country’s coffee continues to perform better at international markets.

 

Improving the prospects of underprivileged coffee producers is the focus of HRNS activities. 

 

However, it is equally important to create a wider awareness of the conditions and opportunities of farmers and their families, the need to conserve the environment and protect endangered natural resources. 

In order to reach larger numbers of beneficiaries we venture to scale up project experiences, roll out sustainable practices and thereby contribute to the implementation of changes in communities and the countries we operate in.

 

Coffee is currently Tanzania’s most important export crop and has been one of the three most important since the early colonial period.

The cash crop was first introduced into the country from modern-day Ethiopia in the 16th century. 

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN