Magufuli challenges coffee farmers to raise quality, quantity

By Prosper Makene

The Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mwigulu Nchemba

 PRESIDENT John Magufuli has challenged coffee farmers in Tanzania and elsewhere on the continent to improve the quality and quantity of their produce if they are to compete in the global market.

 

In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mwigulu Nchemba during the opening of the 14th African Fine Coffee Conference (AFCA) yesterday in Dar es Salaam, the president said coffee cultivation should be taken as a serious commercial venture.

 

The president emphasised that coffee farming should be a profitable business but quality and quantity must be improved.

 

“We are naturally endowed with suitable climate and excellent soils for coffee production, therefore there is no reason for not increasing coffee production both in quality and quantity,” he said

Further, president Magufuli underscored the need for Tanzania as well as other African countries to diversify their coffee markets by promoting local consumption and look beyond the traditional markets. 

 

“New markets are reported growing fast in the booming economies of East Asia such as China and other countries which represent huge market demand because of the growing middle class in these countries you must tap into these,” the president urged. 

 

The president was keen to warn coffee stakeholders that certification and traceability of coffee exports will soon become a pre-condition to sell the product and they must comply. In the same vein, he urged associations like AFCA to support the initiative so the commodity is certified.

 

“You need to strengthen good trade relationship between producers and consumers for the purpose of sustainability of the coffee industry. Producers have always been complaining of being at a disadvantage when it comes to value sharing and this poses a risk to sustainability of the coffee industry,” he warned.

 

The president paid tribute to AFCA noting that since its inception in 2000, its contribution to the coffee sector in member countries has been significant.

 

“Tanzania is highly appreciative of the continued cooperation and support that AFCA and development partners have offered in improving the coffee sector through manpower training, technology sharing and financial support. Without adequate knowledge, technical and financial support in this area, increase in production and quality would not be possible,” he said.

 

Tim Schilling, Executive Director of World Coffee Research said the coffee sector on the continent has greatly improved over the past decade and attributed the improvement to support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and European Union.