TISEZA hails Utengule Estate as a model investment in coffee production
MBEYA: THE Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) has hailed the Utengule Coffee Estate in Mbeya Region as a model investment, citing its growing contribution to coffee production, job creation and technology transfer.
The authority made the remarks during a visit to the estate as part of its drive to monitor investment projects and promote productive investments that support the country’s economic growth.
The estate currently produces about 200 tonnes of coffee annually and plans to increase output to 250 tonnes over the next few years, a move expected to strengthen Tanzania’s coffee industry and boost value addition in agriculture.
Speaking during the visit, TISEZA Southern Highlands Zone Manager Fidelis Obanga said the project demonstrates how strategic investments can benefit local communities while supporting national development.
“Mbeya has fertile land and enormous investment opportunities, particularly in coffee production and other strategic crops,” Mr Obanga said.
He noted that besides increasing coffee production, the estate has become a major employer, providing more than 100 permanent jobs and between 200 and 500 seasonal jobs during the harvest period.
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Mr Obanga added that the use of modern farming and processing technologies has enhanced the skills of Tanzanian workers through hands-on training and knowledge transfer, helping to improve productivity across the sector.
Utengule Coffee Estate investor Hans Faessler said he has continued expanding his investment in Tanzania because of the country’s favourable investment climate.
One of the estate’s employees said working at the farm for more than five years has enabled him to earn a stable income while acquiring practical skills in operating modern coffee production machinery.
He added that the knowledge gained at the estate has benefited many workers and coffee cooperative societies, which are increasingly adopting modern technologies to improve productivity and the quality of coffee production.
