TAHA unveils modern avocado centres

NJOMBE: THE Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) has inaugurated five state-of-the-art avocado collection centres in Njombe Region, as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.

The initiative, supported by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), TradeMark Africa (TMA) and AGRA, marks a major step toward revolutionising Tanzania’s avocado value chain.

Each centre can handle between 20 to 50 metric tonnes daily, benefiting over 2,000 farmers. Designed to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access, the centres feature facilities for sorting, grading and storing avocados, ensuring quality and improving farmer incomes.

Inaugurated by Njombe Regional Commissioner, Anthony Mtaka, the centres reflect TAHA’s mission to modernise horticulture through innovation and partnerships.

Mr Mtaka called for sustainable management of the infrastructure through strong public-private partnerships (PPPs) and adherence to international quality standards. TAHA’s holistic model goes beyond infrastructure.

It offers farmers training in agronomy, entrepreneurship, nutrition and gender-inclusive practices. Through participation in international trade shows, such as Fruit Logistica in Berlin, TAHA has helped open markets in China, India, South Africa and the UAE.

Tanzania’s avocado exports reached 35,627 tonnes in 2023/24 up from 26,826 tonnes the previous year earning 252.3bn/-.

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That is more than double the 117.5bn/- generated two years ago. Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Hussein Mohamed Omar, praised TAHA’s contributions to the “Agenda 10/30” target of 10 per cent annual agricultural growth by 2030.

With current growth trends, TAHA projects avocado production could reach 923,620 tonnes by 2030 well above the national goal of 250,000 tonnes.

Under the motto “private sector-led, government-enabled,” TAHA aims to help Tanzania’s horticultural industry surpass 2 billion US dollars in revenue by 2030.

Government support under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, including increased agricultural budgets and Public, Private Partnership (PPP) investments, has boosted growth.

Four avocado processing plants have already been established in the Southern Highlands through such partnerships.

TAHA’s subsidiaries, TAHAFRESH and Greencert, further reinforce the value chain. TAHAFRESH improves logistics and cold chain systems, while Greencert has certified over 6,000 farmers to Global G.A. P standards, unlocking access to export markets.

In Njombe, for instance, 700 farmers are now linked to Shikamoo Parachichi company via certification.

TAHA CEO Dr Jacqueline Mkindi expressed gratitude to development partners, especially SIDA, AGRA and TradeMark Africa, saying, “Your support has brought about positive changes directly impacting millions of farmers.”

Beyond Njombe, TAHA has developed market infrastructure and irrigation systems in Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, Singida, Coast Region and Zanzibar, many of which have been handed over to local councils.

Farmer Erasto Ngole from Itulike Village described the centras as “beacons of opportunity,” offering greater market access and improved livelihoods.

Founded in 2004, TAHA has transformed Tanzania’s horticultural sector from a marginal industry generating 100 million US dollars in exports to a thriving movement of over 6.5 million farmers.

By 2019, TAHA had helped push horticultural export value to 780 million US dollars before the pandemic. With 20 years of milestones behind it, TAHA is set to lead Tanzania’s horticulture into a more prosperous future.