Tanzania Sets Sights On Commercialising Coconut Sector Through Production, Value Addition

Tanzania is implementing a series of efforts to revive and promote coconut production, with a renewed focus on increasing productivity and adding value to the crop to unlock its economic potential.

The drive seeks to transform the coconut sector from one largely dependent on the sale of raw produce into a commercially viable industry capable of generating greater incomes for farmers and creating opportunities across the value chain.

In Tanzania, a single raw coconut can sell for around 1,500/-, while one litre of virgin coconut oil (VCO) can fetch up to 50,000/-, highlighting the significant economic potential of processing the crop into higher-value products.

The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) Mikocheni Centre, is implementing a strategic programme aimed at boosting coconut production and value addition, following directives issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Under her directives, President Samia tasked the Ministry of Agriculture with promoting mass production of coconut, particularly in the southern regions of Lindi and Mtwara, where the crop has significant production potential.

In response, TARI has launched a programme to produce and distribute 5,000 improved coconut seedlings to farmers in Lindi and Mtwara regions.

Manager of TARI Mikocheni Centre, Dr Evangelista Chiunga, told the publication that 3,500 seedlings had already been distributed to coconut growers in the two regions.

“We are set to distribute more seedlings to farmers in Lindi and Mtwara so that they can expand their plantations as the planting season approaches,” she said.

She said the initiative was promoting improved coconut varieties, particularly the East African Tall (EAT) varieties, which include Vuo, LBS, Madonga and Buza, known for their productivity and suitability for coconut-growing areas.

Dr Chiunga said the programme was also training farmers in appropriate agronomic practices, including the replacement of old and less productive coconut trees.

“Principally, a coconut tree’s economic lifespan can extend to at least 70 years, and it appears that most of the trees in these regions are old. They therefore need to be replaced,” she said.

She noted that TARI Mikocheni, which is responsible for research and development of the crop, is implementing a series of interventions aimed at increasing coconut production by at least 10 per cent by 2030.

According to Dr Chiunga, the centre has so far researched and developed at least four improved coconut varieties that are resistant to major coconut diseases, including the destructive coconut lethal disease.

As part of efforts to further improve production, she said the centre was planning to expand its research activities beyond the traditional coastal coconut-growing areas.

“As part of our envisaged research programme, we are expecting to conduct research in Kigoma, Mwanza, Mbeya and Morogoro regions, which are also areas with potential for growing coconut,” she said.

The manager said the centre was also training farmers on how to utilise old coconut trees for timber instead of burning them, as has traditionally been the case.

“Coconut trees can produce valuable wood that can be processed into high-quality furniture, which can attract lucrative prices in the market,” she said.

On value addition, Dr Chiunga said experts at the state-owned agricultural research centre were disseminating affordable technologies to enable farmers to process coconuts into virgin coconut oil (VCO) and other products.

“The target is to ensure that by 2030, all coconuts produced by farmers in the country are processed into different high-value products instead of being marketed in raw form,” she said.

She explained that about 20 raw coconuts can produce one litre of virgin coconut oil, meaning that processing can significantly increase the economic returns received by farmers.

“And through processing, farmers can stand a chance to generate a profit of around 30,000/- from the same quantity of coconuts,” Dr Chiunga said.

In further efforts to promote value addition, she said the programme was also empowering farmers to produce coconut fibre and pots for raising seedlings, creating additional income-generating opportunities within the sector.

She added that during the 2023/24 financial year, the government set aside 480 million/- to support the development of the coconut sub-sector.

The funds are being used to facilitate various interventions, including the dissemination of affordable coconut-processing technologies to farmers.

She added, coconut grows well in several regions across Tanzania, although major production is currently concentrated in Tanga, Coast, Dar es Salaam, Lindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma regions.

“Other regions with potential for coconut production, but where production remains relatively low, include Morogoro, Mbeya, particularly Kyela, Kigoma and Mwanza,” she said.

Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute-Mikocheni (TARI-Mikocheni) is one of the 17 research centres under TARI.

The centre was established in March 1996 as a measure to sustain and institutionalise coconut research and development activities previously conducted under the National Coconut Development Programme (NCDP).

The NCDP was established by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania during the 1979/80 financial year with the aim of promoting coconut production and utilisation in the country.

The programme covered Tanzania’s entire coastal belt as well as the islands of Zanzibar.