Dodoma expands grape processing, value addition

DODOMA: THE number of grape-processing factories in Dodoma Region has increased from five to 39 over the past nine years, easing market challenges for farmers and boosting value addition in one of the region’s key cash crops.

Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule said the growth was driven by government efforts to attract investment and promote value addition in agricultural production.

She made the remarks on Saturday during the climax of the National Farmers’ Day celebrations, Nanenane, held at the Dr John Malecela grounds in Nzuguni, Dodoma.

According to Ms Senyamule, the transformation followed concerns raised by residents during President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to Mpunguzi in 2022 over the lack of a reliable market for grapes.

“At that time, we had only five grape-processing factories producing wine and juice. The situation prompted serious reflection on how grapes could be sold before they spoiled in the fields,” she said.

The regional commissioner said Dodoma now had 39 factories, ranging from large to small-scale plants, significantly reducing complaints from farmers over lack of markets.

“In recent years, we have not heard farmers complaining about the grape market. Now factories have increased and grapes are becoming scarce because people have understood the importance of value addition,” she said.

Ms Senyamule said the government would continue supporting the grape industry to make it one of the region’s flagship economic crops, while encouraging farmers to increase production to meet growing demand from processors.

She also said Dodoma had launched an initiative to promote apples as an alternative commercial crop aimed at increasing household incomes and reducing dependence on seasonal crops.

Research conducted by the region in collaboration with agricultural experts established that three apple varieties could thrive in Dodoma, she said.

Ms Senyamule said Tanzania spends about 23bn/- annually on apple imports, according to figures from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), adding that increased domestic production could help reduce foreign exchange expenditure.

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To support the initiative, the region has established demonstration plots in every district to train farmers on apple production.

“We started with trials and every district now has a demonstration plot. We have also started a programme targeting households by providing at least three apple seedlings to each participating family,” she said.

The regional commissioner said the programme would provide households with an additional source of income after harvesting seasonal crops while also improving nutrition.

She further commended President Samia for investments in Dodoma, saying they had transformed the city and raised the profile of the Central Zone.

Ms Senyamule cited improvements at the Dr John Malecela Nanenane grounds, saying the modern facilities had increased participation by farmers, investors and other stakeholders.

However, she said Dodoma still faced the challenge of raising household incomes, noting that 2023 statistics showed per capita income in the region stood at 1.7m/-, compared with the national average of 2.5m/-.

Ms Senyamule said the region would continue identifying new economic opportunities, particularly value-added agricultural ventures, to raise household incomes and accelerate economic growth.