Grape harvests surge in Dodoma
DODOMA: DODOMA grape farmers in Matumbulu are increasing their annual production from 70 tonnes to 480 tonnes on the same 170-acre area thanks to financing, inputs and technical support from the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB).
The sharp increase in production has also created new employment opportunities, with more than 300 women and at least 70 young people now engaged in grape harvesting, weeding and other farm activities.
Alex Yared, chairman of the farmers’ group, said production began rising significantly after the group received financial support and training aimed at improving farming practices.
βBefore receiving support from TADB, the group harvested about 70 tonnes of grapes from 170 acres. Today, production has reached 480 tonnes from the same area,β he said.
One of the group’s farmers said his personal harvest had increased tenfold, from three tonnes to 30 tonnes annually from a 10-acre farm.
The farmers are now planning to install drip irrigation systems as part of efforts to increase production beyond 600 tonnes from the 170 acres.
They also plan to establish a small processing facility to add value to their grapes rather than relying solely on sales of fresh produce.
TADB Central Zone Manager Yodas Mwanakatwe said the bank had supported the farmers with production capital while also providing training and exposure to modern farming practices.
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He said capacity building was an important component of the bank’s financing model, helping farmers improve productivity and manage agricultural investments more efficiently.
βThe grape sector is strategically important to Dodoma and the national economy because of its contribution to employment, industrial development and value addition,β Mwanakatwe said.
For the Matumbulu farmers, the next phase is to move further along the value chain by processing grapes into higher-value products, a step they expect will increase incomes and expand market opportunities.
