Kagera targets higher coffee yield in 2026
KAGERA: KAGERA Region has unveiled a new strategy to boost coffee production by expanding acreage, improving farm practices and promoting high-performing coffee varieties.
The plan, which spans three years, aims to revitalise coffee farming across the region and strengthen its role in the national economy.
The plan targets a 36 per cent increase in production from 54,203 tonnes in 2024/25 to 74,000 tonnes next season by expand coffee acreage and adopt improved varieties.
The initiative, expected to boost regional earnings by 96bn/- annually, involves planting 10,000 hectares with high-yield coffee varieties.
Kagera’s Regional Commissioner Fatma Mwassa said the plan started to be implemented from 2024 and will last up to 2027, aiming to strengthen the region’s position as a key contributor to country’s coffee economy.
“Competitive global prices, access to credit for inputs and a strong cooperative system that ensures reliable statistics have all contributed to increased coffee production,” Ms Mwassa said.
Coffee production in Kagera has seen wide fluctuations in recent years. In 2020/21, the region produced 78,309 tonnes, but output fell sharply to 45,534 tonnes in 2021/22. It recovered to 73,745 tonnes in 2022/23 before dropping again to 53,492 tonnes in 2023/24.
The RC said production gains in recent years are the result of improved farmer prices, favourable global market trends, access to credit for farm inputs and a structured cooperative system that enhances transparency in crop statistics.
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However, she noted that despite some progress, challenges persist, including poor farm management and over-reliance on ageing coffee trees.
Farmers are being urged to replace old trees with improved clonal varieties available at the Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TACRI) in Maruku, Kagera.
The Regional Commissioner applauded the government’s efforts to uplift farmers’ livelihoods, citing a substantial increase in coffee prices. She said farmers now earn up to 6,000/- per kilogramme, compared to just 1,000/- in previous years.
To support youth involvement in agriculture, the government has allocated five new tractors and provided land to 300 young farmers at Makongora village in Muleba District for coffee cultivation.
Tanzania Coffee Board Zonal Manager Edmond Zani said 13 million improved seedlings have already been distributed to farmers this season, with 17 million more planned for the next.
He added that this year’s marketing season, which started this month, will see Arabica coffee sold at 5,000/- per kilo and Robusta at 4,500/-.
He also revealed that preparations are underway to establish 4,000 hectares of block farms in Karagwe and Muleba Districts, as part of efforts to scale up commercial coffee farming.
Zonal Manager for the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB), Mr Edmond Zani, said over 13 million improved coffee seedlings were distributed to farmers for the 2024/25 planting season and plans are underway to distribute more than 17 million seedlings in the 2025/26 season.
