Zanzibar: THE Zanzibar Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) is leading a team of eight researchers to study and investigate the decline of clove production in the isles.
The assignment follows directives issued by President Hussein Mwinyi, who seeks answers to help the government decide on the future of the national crop.
The official launch of the 18-month investigation exercise was held here at the offices of Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Maruhubi area and graced by the Zanzibar Planning Commission (ZPC) Executive Director Dr Rahma Salim who asked researchers to complete investigation within the given timeframe.
“President Mwinyi has directed us to conduct this important exercise and is eagerly waiting for the results. I kindly ask the researchers to make it a priority,” Ms Salim emphasized.
She highlighted that clove is a strategic and the only national crop for Zanzibar, but production is poor due to several challenges that need to be investigated through research.
She said that by utilising science, technology and other modern methods, the government aims to find permanent solutions to the challenges facing clove production. She also thanked COSTECH for providing 64 per cent of the research funds, amounting to 109m/-
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Members forming the research team are Dr Mohamed Dhamir Kombo, Director General of the Zanzibar Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) and Principal Investigator (PI); Dr Afua Khalfan Mohamed, Commissioner of ZPC and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) and Prof Haji Khatib Semboja from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Others are Mr Ali Hamad Ali from ZARI and Mr Seif Hamza Mohamed from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Prof Ntengua Seleman Mdoe and Prof Suzan Nchimbi Msola; and Ms Hamisa Ali Mohamed all from ZPC.
In his brief introduction to the audience at the launch event, Dr Kombo said that the study will determine Zanzibar clove industry’s performance, as researchers will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the plantation, production value chain and marketing.
He said that the research areas will include soil, nursery operations, crop husbandry practices, production, harvesting, technology and innovations.
“We will also examine diseases, value addition, marketing, economic and social aspects and policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks,” Dr Kombo added.
The study will be conducted in seven districts of Zanzibar: Unguja North A, Unguja North B, Unguja Central and in Pemba: Mkoani, Chake-Chake, Wete and Micheweni.
Mr Mohamed Mbarouk Suleiman, Coordinator, COSTECH- Zanzibar said “We are happy to contribute to the research funding, we have called for a separate study on climate change on cloves.”
ZPC Commissioner Dr Afua Mohamed said the team is ready for the research assignment, asking interviewees and farmers to provide maximum cooperation during the study and investigation targeted to be completed next August in 2025.
During the colonial days, clove production reached more than 38,000 tonness, but despite injecting funds and improving buying price to motivate farmers, from mid 1990s it has been declining.
