Kagera coffee farmers earn over 29bn/-

KAGERA: COFFEE farmers in Kagera Region have earned more than 29bn/- through Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) auctions held between July 9 and 16 this year, buoyed by strong demand and favourable prices in local and international markets.

TCB Director General Primus Kimaryo said that on July 9, farmers sold 3.75 million kilogrammes of cherry coffee worth 17.04bn/-, with the highest price reaching 5,310/- per kilogramme.

On the same day, 81,482 kilogrammes of clean coffee fetched 862.6m/-, with the highest price standing at 11,010/- per kilogramme.

A week later, on July 16, another 2.48 million kilogrammes of cherry coffee were sold for 11.62bn/-, while 48,315 kilogrammes of clean coffee worth 465.1m/- changed hands, with the highest price reaching 10,005/- per kilogramme.

Among the top-performing cooperatives, Rwele AMCOS in Kyerwa District sold 113,500 kilogrammes of Robusta coffee at 4,600/- per kilogramme, while Ngara Farmers’ AMCOS marketed 61,827 kilogrammes of certified Arabica at an average price of 5,505/- per kilogramme.

Mr Kimaryo reminded buyers to collect purchased coffee within 72 hours, warning that a warehouse charge of 5/- per kilogramme would apply after the deadline.

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TCB Board Chairperson Prof Aurelia Kamuzora assured farmers that the government remains committed to ensuring they continue benefiting from competitive coffee prices.

She attributed the improved returns to favourable global coffee prices and government reforms aimed at revitalising cooperative unions, while commending President Samia Suluhu Hassan for strengthening the cooperative movement.

Kagera accounts for about 50 per cent of Tanzania’s Robusta coffee production. The government reforms now require coffee to be marketed through Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) to protect farmers from exploitative middlemen.

Prof Kamuzora also encouraged growers to adopt improved Robusta clonal varieties, saying the disease-resistant seedlings can yield up to two kilogrammes per tree, significantly boosting productivity and farmers’ incomes