Dodoma Goes Apple: Region Bets on Fruit to Boost Economy

RC Champions Apple Initiative as Key to Economic Empowerment
Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary S. Senyamule is spearheading a bold initiative to cultivate apples as a strategic crop, aiming to uplift the region’s economy and the livelihoods of its residents.

Dodoma, Tanzania – In a groundbreaking move aimed at transforming the regional economy and improving the livelihoods of its citizens, the Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Hon. Rosemary S. Senyamule, has announced that the region will strategically invest in apple cultivation. This decision comes after a study conducted in 2023 in collaboration with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), which revealed that both the individual and regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Dodoma were below the national average.

“As leaders of the Dodoma region, we have a significant responsibility to change the economic trajectory of our people and our region,” stated Hon. Senyamule. She emphasized that this urgency was amplified by the substantial investments made by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan in various strategic projects within Dodoma, including those related to its status as the nation’s capital and initiatives directly benefiting the populace. “We must consider what returns we are generating for the President’s immense investment. There needs to be productive activity that ensures these funds circulate within the government system, allowing us to contribute through taxes and other means,” she asserted.

The Regional Commissioner underscored the ambition to position Dodoma not only as the administrative capital but also as a thriving economic hub, providing better lives and economic opportunities for its residents and contributing significantly to the national GDP.

Agriculture, which employs 72% of Dodoma’s population, has been identified as the key sector for this economic transformation. Inspired by President Samia’s vision of Tanzania feeding Africa and the world, and the government’s investment in irrigation infrastructure, Dodoma is focusing on high-priority crops. Among these, apple cultivation has emerged as a strategic choice for every household.

Hon. Senyamule elaborated on the multi-faceted benefits of promoting fruit trees, particularly apples, at the household level. “A fruit tree contributes to environmental conservation by producing oxygen. The fruit itself is a source of nutrition, improving the health of our citizens. Crucially, it also represents an economic opportunity, as families can generate income by selling the fruit.” She highlighted successful examples from other regions where fruit cultivation has significantly boosted household economies. “Planting a fruit tree in every compound can bring about a major revolution in the individual economic system, especially at the household level.”

The selection of apples followed careful consideration and reports of successful trials within the Dodoma region, indicating the fruit’s suitability to the local climate and its potential for high-quality yields. Furthermore, the strategic decision to focus on apples was influenced by the fact that it is not currently a major strategic crop in other Tanzanian regions, promising less market competition. The existing high domestic demand for apples, largely met through imports, presents a significant market opportunity. “Even if local production leads to a slight price decrease, it will still be a profitable venture for our farmers,” Hon. Senyamule affirmed, also noting the nutritional value of apples, which drives consumer demand.

The initial phase of the program will encourage every household to plant at least one apple tree in the first year, with a gradual increase in subsequent years as people witness the benefits. To kickstart this initiative, demonstration farms are being established to showcase successful apple cultivation in Dodoma. Farmers who began cultivating apples just last year have already reported remarkable results. “The apples grown here are exceptionally delicious, even surpassing those from other regions,” Hon. Senyamule remarked after tasting the locally grown fruit. “This has further convinced us that apples can be both a household crop and a strategic regional crop.”

Following a visit to exemplary farms and nurseries, the regional leadership has outlined four key resolutions:

1. Strategic Crop Designation: Apples will be officially recognized as a strategic crop for the Dodoma region.
2. Immediate Implementation: The initiative will commence this year, with nurseries starting to sell seedlings as early as July and December.
3. Establishment of Demonstration Farms: Each district will establish a minimum of one hectare demonstration farm (approximately 450 seedlings) to serve as a learning center and trial site for local conditions.
4. Community Engagement: Each district will select at least 100 households in close proximity to participate in initial trials, providing them with one or two seedlings each.

To ensure the success of this ambitious program, agricultural extension officers will be specifically assigned to oversee apple cultivation. These officers will receive specialized training, lasting up to a week, to equip them with the necessary knowledge on apple farming techniques, including planting, maintenance, and pest control. “We have been strongly advised that the quality of the yield directly depends on the care given to the trees,” Hon. Senyamule emphasized.

The Regional Commissioner expressed her optimism about the transformative potential of this initiative. “We are beginning to see our vision for a prosperous Dodoma materialize. We envision a Dodoma in five to ten years where our people are economically empowered, and we are contributing significantly to the nation’s fruit production.” The long-term goals include establishing processing industries for juice and dried apples, catering to both domestic and international markets, and generating foreign currency through exports.

“To the people of Dodoma,” Hon. Senyamule concluded, “get ready. We have often joked that poverty will now take a back seat in Dodoma. Through this apple initiative, combined with our existing strengths, we believe we will make significant strides in eradicating poverty in our region. Our research indicated a need to improve both individual and regional income, and this is a key step towards achieving that. Dodoma is the pride of Tanzania, and we are going to enhance that pride by making apples a strategic asset for our region.”