Korosho Africa factory to resume this season

DODOMA: THE government is moving forward with efforts to revive the Tunduru-based Korosho Africa cashew processing factory, with investor, Sunil Kamath finalising early-stage preparations to reopen the long-stalled facility.

Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Dennis Londo, told the National Assembly last Friday that the factory’s investor is now in the initial phase of organising the reopening.

“The ministry continues to work closely with the investor to ensure the factory resumes production and is developed according to current market needs,” he said.

He was responding to a question from Tunduru North MP, Ado Shaibu Ado (ACT-Wazalendo), who sought to know when the government would implement the government’s directive to revive the cashew processing factory in Tunduru, Ruvuma.

In his supplementary question, the MP expressed concern that the investor had taken many years without operationalising the factory and was instead using the premises as a storage warehouse, contrary to the processing agreement. He asked whether the government would consider terminating the contract and transferring the plant to the Tunduru Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Union (TAMCU Ltd).

Responding, Mr Londo said the investor had assured the government that production activities would begin during the 2026 cashew harvest season.

He added that strengthening the value chain remains central to building an inclusive and resilient economy, in line with the Development Vision 2050, which includes promoting small-scale industries and ensuring farmers gain ownership within the value chain.

“The government will continue supporting a Vietnamstyle model to empower cashew farmers by enabling them to establish small-scale processing industries,” he said.

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In a different development, the Deputy Minister said the government is intensifying efforts to secure reliable markets for East African longhorn grasshopper, Ruspolia differens, locally known as senene, a delicacy widely consumed in the Lake Zone.

This includes linking ‘senene’ traders to major city markets, facilitating their participation in national and regional trade exhibitions and promoting senene as a unique Lake Zone product with strong potential for regional and continental markets,” he said.

Mr Londo was responding to a question from Bukoba Urban MP, Eng Johnston Johansen (CCM), who sought the government’s plan to support senene harvesters with better markets and improved trapping equipment.

He said that the government, through the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO), in collaboration with COSTECH and VETA, has continued conducting research aimed at advancing and improving the senene business in Kagera Region.

“So far, a simple prototype technology to support senene harvesting has been designed and developed,” he said.