TANZANIA: THE Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) has introduced an innovative programme designed to empower coffee farmers with advanced agronomic practices for commercial coffee production.
This initiative, which is already delivering positive outcomes for many growers, involves deploying TaCRI’s agricultural experts directly to farms to enhance production, productivity and quality.
The programme emerged from research indicating that over 40 per cent of Tanzania’s coffee farmers still use traditional coffee varieties that are vulnerable to diseases.
To address this, TaCRI is providing targeted support to help farmers transition to modern, disease-resistant varieties and best practices.
TaCRI’s Farm Manager, Melchior Tesha, highlighted the key components of the programme.
“We are assisting coffee growers in adopting improved farming practices, including intercropping with bananas, planting shade trees and implementing soil and water conservation techniques,” Tesha said.
“We also emphasise integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) and integrated pest management (IPM).”
Additionally, the programme trains farmers in essential crop management skills such as pruning, canopy management and proper spacing.
“For optimal coffee production, each plant should produce around 38 primary branches, with a recommended density of 500 to 1,000 plants per acre,” Tesha explained.
Tesha also mentioned the use of Albizia and Cordia Africa trees noting they provide essential shelter for coffee plants and help retain soil moisture.
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They also offer economic benefits by providing animal feed, timber and firewood, he noted.
“Intercropping with these trees creates a favourable microclimate that supports both coffee production and biodiversity.”
An economist at TaCRI, Mr Leonard Kiwelu added that the programme also focuses on effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
“IPM is crucial for addressing pest issues while minimising risks to people and the environment,” Kiwelu said.
“We also train farmers on managing post-harvest losses. By improving practices for harvesting, drying, processing and storing coffee beans, we aim to reduce losses and enhance the quality of the final product.”
This comprehensive programme represents a significant step towards modernising Tanzania’s coffee industry, boosting farmer productivity and improving the overall quality of Tanzanian coffee.
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