Coconut Productivity and the Status of Improved Agricultural Technologies at Small-Scale Level in Tanzania: Country Experience after National Coconut Development Program

In the mid-seventies, there was a steady decline of coconut production in Tanzania hence the government established the National Coconut Development Programme (NCDP) from 1979-2004 aimed at promoting of coconut sub-sector industry in Tanzania. However, since then there is little information on coconut production and productivity in the country and less is known on the status of improved agricultural technologies. This paper therefore, investigates the current production and productivity of coconut at small-scale level and the status of improved agricultural technologies (IATs). Primary data were solicited by interviewing 150 farm households, focus group discussion which involved 68 members and key informants which involved 30 people. Results indicate that coconut production in terms of nuts/year in Tanzania decreased at a rate of 2.2% per annum while at other end of the spectrum yield in terms of nuts/ha decreased at a rate of 0.5% per annum. Furthermore, only 22% of the small-scale farmers applied improved technologies for coconut production while rest (78%) of the farmers practiced conventional methods. Decreasing of production and productivity in the study areas is associated with low use of improved technologies and poor extension services. Promotion of coconut research and development (R&D) activities, extension services and dissemination of improved technologies are recommended by this study. Keywords: Coconut Production, Productivity, Small-Scale Level, Improved Technologies, Tanzani

Assessment of Orange Losses and Existence of Post-Harvest Methods (PHM) Along the Coast Belt of Tanzania

An assessment of orange fruits losses and investigating of post-harvest methods was conducted in Mkuranga district which is situated along the Coast Belt of Tanzania. The district is among of the producer of orange fruits in the country. The study discovered that an average of 9,889 tons of pieces of orange fruits are produced mainly by small holder farmers in the district per year and about 3.9 tons (39.7 percent) of the produced orange fruits found to be wasted per year. The study analysis indicates that about 15 percent of the orange fruits wasted during harvesting process, 18 percent loss of orange fruits occurred during handling process, 50 percent of orange fruits lost at a storage places and 17 percent lost during transportation from farm to the market place.  At a household level, the analysis indicates that an average of 70 of orange trees owned per household and that at a moment of harvesting process each orange tree bears an average of 400 pieces of orange fruits. About 25,000 pieces of orange fruits investigated to be harvested per household per year where by an average of 19,000 pieces of orange fruits are sold per year per household at an average price of 30 TSH (equal to USD 0.018) per piece. About 3,000 piece of orange fruits found to be consumed by family members, relatives and friends per year per household and an average of 3,000 pieces of orange fruits found to be wasted per year per household. The study revealed that an existing methods and facilities for harvesting (orange smashing), handling and storage (nylon and plastic bags) are poor and are main causes of the orange waste or loss in the district.  Moreover, poor transportation infrastructures such as road is noted to contribute in fruit loss. Improved methods and facilities for harvesting, handling, storage and transportation are suggested to be commenced in the district for orange loss reduction. Trainings, awareness and skills at each point of post-harvest chain (PPHC) starting from primary to secondary actors should be collectively emphasized by both government and non-government institutions in Tanzania. Keywords: Orange losses, Existing-post-harvest methods, Coast Belt of Tanzani

Assessment of the Quality of coffee parchments in Southern Highlands of Tanzania: A case of Mbozi District in Songwe Region

It’s unfortunate that even a single defective of a coffee bean can contribute to affect the receptive-lot of coffee. Coffee parchments or beans with high quality fetches high price in the world market. The study aimed at assessing the quality of coffee parchments along the post-harvest stages. Main focus was on improvement of post-harvest practices for coffee quality of coffee from farm level and to the processing under supervision of primary societies. The study involved coffee farmers in 6 Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives Societies (AMCOS). Questionnaire, check list tools and physical observation were used for data collection. The result indicates that coffee farmers in Tanzania failed to fetch a good price from their produce due to low grades and classes of coffee parchments. Low grades and classes were observed to be attributed by application of poor practices along the coffee value chain. Our study suggests that, coffee stakeholders and the government should support the development of coffee sector along the value chain by up-scaling of good practices. Keywords: Coffee Quality; Red-Cherries and Parchments, Mbozi Tanzani