Coffee, roads key in Kyerwa economic push

KAGERA: KYERWA District Commissioner, Ms Zaituni Msofe, has called on farmers to prioritise the production of high-quality coffee to secure better prices in the market, as efforts intensify to strengthen the district’s economic base.

She also directed local leaders to take firm measures to curb the smuggling of the cash crop, warning that the practice undermines both farmers’ incomes and government revenue.

“Kyerwa is known for producing quality Robusta coffee. Leaders must ensure that smuggling is brought to an end to protect the value of our produce,” she said during a meeting with village chairpersons.

Ms Msofe further emphasised the need to strengthen security in the district, noting that its proximity to an international border requires heightened vigilance to safeguard agricultural output and trade. According to the 2022 National Census, Kyerwa District has a population of 412,910.

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Meanwhile, efforts to improve infrastructure in the Lake Zone are also gaining momentum, with the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) planning to spend 2.87bn/- in the 2026/27 financial year on the maintenance of 51.14 kilometres of roads in Bukoba Municipality.

Bukoba Municipal TARURA Manager, Eng Erasto Yohana, said the investment aims to improve road conditions and ensure reliable transport services, which are critical in supporting economic activities, including the movement of agricultural produce.

He called on wananchi to protect road infrastructure, noting that construction and maintenance require substantial public resources. “Roads are built using taxpayers’ money, so it is important for citizens to take responsibility in preserving them,” he said.