TaCRI to surpass coffee seeds making goal

TANZANIA Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) is set to break its target of producing and distributing coffee seedling for this year ending next month.

TaCRI has already produced 17 million coffee seedlings by the end of last month equals 70 per cent of the target of producing 20 million seedlings at the end of next month—2022/2023 season.

The TaCRI’s Researcher (Technology Dissemination and Training), Dr Jeremiah Magesa, said the ongoing programme is aimed at producing more quality coffee seedlings to boost coffee production in the country.

“We are positive we will be able to achieve the set goal for this fiscal year. We are very close and optimistic,” Dr Magesa told reporters over the weekend.

The researcher, further said, that apart from the production of the seedlings, they are also continuing with research aimed at producing coffee seedlings that tolerate drought weather situation.

“Our hope is to complete the research for drought tolerant coffee seedlings in two years,” he said adding:

“The seeds that tolerate drought at least guarantee to increase farmers coffee productions.”

In the recently years demand for drought tolerant coffee seedlings is increasing as  after farmers expand their farms and most want to maximise output.

TaCRI continues to collaborate with other stakeholders including the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) and more than 300 groups involved in the production of coffee crops.

The programme target is to produce and distribute 100 million coffee seedlings in five years to 2024/2025 crop season.

Additionally, TaCRI is out to push the coffee drinking culture in a bid to increase the level of local coffee consumption.

“The goal is to increase local consumption of coffee from the current between five and seven per cent to at least 15 per cent by the year 2025, which will help to avoid relying heavily on the foreign coffee markets”, he said.