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Coffee farmers to profit from laboratory services



AWARENESS and training provided to coffee growers in Tanzania could turn around their fortunes and of the country generally, as many have started using the laboratory services offered by the Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI).

That comes after TaCRI officials sensitised coffee growers on the importance of getting agricultural consultancy services from the lab so as to establish the right kind of soil after analysis is done and what best practices were feasible at a respective area.
The laboratory at Lyamungu, Hai District was constructed in 2007 but farmers hardly went after its services. A cross-section of farmers interviewed in Kilimanjaro over the week showed enthusiasm in using the services and do away with ‘business as usual’ trend that was common in coffee industry for the few past decades, leading to deterioration in quality and quantity of the crop. M
r Paul Aika from Gararagua ward in Siha District said the typical crop in Kilimanjaro that was the main source of income to many dwellers in the region since the colonial era changed gradually, earning the growers less income due to little harvest and poor quality of coffee beans.
He attributed the decline to farmers not adhering to advice issued by extension officers although at times there were few such officers on the field, as a result farmers left the coffee trees without application of necessary inputs, where trees were left for more than 50 years and the soil was never tested.
TaCRI’s Crop Productivity and Quality Improvement Programme Manager, Ms Suzana Mbwambo, said the state-of-the-art laboratory offers different services to growers, such as soil analysis as well as that of water and leaves to coffee stakeholders.
“After scientific analysis done here, farmers could make an informed decision on how to go about growing coffee and if there is need for extra farm input.
The services include analysis of the soil in question, leaves and water and we train farmers on how to safeguard the soil so that it retains the required fertility and then we issue the right advice so that we can revive the sector,” said Ms Mbwambo.
Year in year out, she says, samples received at the laboratory are on the increase due to the campaign whose first move was made by TaCRI and going by the theme ‘Know Thy Farm’.
She said a total of 2,700 samples were received at the lab from different growers, including 23 plantations, which were tested and results were issued to the satisfaction of growers.
“The response is a very good sign that farmers are eager and have actually started using our laboratory services, they have benefited a lot in knowing different types of soils and what they should do on their fields.
What we plan in the future is to accomplish the process of supplying information about types of soil in all districts that grow coffee. We will also engage in research activities to establish value for money on land, but also to run this commercially by regular auditing so that clients can trust us,” she says.
TaCRI Technology Transfer & Training Programme Officer, Mr Jeremiah Magesa, said that in 15 years since the institute was established, it has done a lot, including soil analysis in 41 districts of 14 regions that grow coffee in the country.
The analysis was conducted from 2009 to 2013. Further research is done so as to establish what areas coffee cultivation could be expanded to.
Mr Michael Mushi, a grower from Uru East division, Moshi Rural District, said he and his fellow farmers were frustrated by proceeds they got from the coffee crop, but after visiting TaCRI offices and the laboratory they got solutions.

He said they have since uprooted all old trees and planted new ones and now in their sixth year, they are gaining abundant yield of quality coffee.

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