Zanzibar lawmakers push for more efforts to increase cloves production

Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives have expressed dissatisfaction with cloves production

ZANZIBAR: MEMBERS of the Zanzibar House of Representatives have expressed dissatisfaction with cloves production in the country urging the government to find workable measures that will help to uplift the national crop, which contributes to the livelihood of many peoples.

Debating the budget estimates for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, the legislators pointed out that it seems the current measures to increase production were not giving good results.

According to the minister of the docket, Shamata Shaame Khamis cloves production volume declined from 4,734.1 tonnes in 2022 to 2,654.7 tonnes last year (equivalent to 43.9 per cent), and that the ministry has embarked on increased public awareness to double the production.

Advertisement

Also Read: Mwinyi: Govt to invest more in infrastructure development

He said the government had taken several measures to boost cloves production which include free distribution of clove seedlings to farmers, provision of loans to farmers and good price for cloves of 14,000/- per kilogramme for the first grade.

“It is unfortunate that it has been difficult to beat the target and cutting down cloves to clear land for housing and other use has been going on. The government must find other ways to maintain the crop or risk losing it,” said Prof Mohamed Ali (Mtambwe Constituency).