MOROGORO, Tanzania — Tanzania is accelerating its bid to become a major player in the global spice industry, with the Morogoro Region emerging as a new centre for spice production, processing and essential oils following the successful completion of a €50,000 Dutch-funded Spice Agroforestry Project that is transforming smallholder farming through climate-smart agriculture and value addition.

The six-month project, implemented between July 2025 and March 2026, has become a model for how environmental restoration, agricultural commercialisation and rural industrialisation can work together. Led by the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (AGCOT) and funded by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the initiative supports the Morogoro Regional Government’s ambition to establish a dedicated Spice Aroma Hub capable of supplying premium spices and essential oils to domestic and international markets.

The project’s achievements were showcased during a visit to Tawa Ward by Morogoro Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) Dr. Musa Ally Musa, who officially inaugurated a modern spice processing facility comprising a solar-powered dryer and an essential oil extraction unit.

From Climate Restoration to Commercial Agriculture

Officially known as “Promoting Nature-Based Solutions through Spice Agroforestry for Landscape Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation,” the initiative targeted the wards of Tawa, Mkuyuni and Konde, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can simultaneously restore landscapes, strengthen biodiversity, improve climate resilience and create profitable agricultural enterprises.

Rather than focusing solely on production, the project invested across the entire spice value chain—from farmer training and seedling distribution to processing, quality improvement and market access.

A total of 1,211 farmers and community members received training in agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, post-harvest handling, financial literacy and international quality standards.

To expand production, the project distributed 20,000 improved clove seedlings to 580 farmers, covering more than 327 hectares. Demonstration farms introduced climate-smart farming techniques including contour planting, terracing and soil conservation practices designed to reduce erosion while improving long-term productivity.

Building a Rural Processing Industry

At the centre of the initiative is a decisive shift away from exporting raw agricultural commodities.

The newly established processing facility in Tawa enables farmers to dry spices using modern solar technology and extract high-value essential oils from cloves, cinnamon, lemongrass and other aromatic crops—allowing significantly more value to remain within rural communities.

The facility is now operated by Get Aroma Spices Ltd, an AGCOT partner with extensive experience in Tanzania’s spice industry.

Speaking during the inauguration, Dr. Musa Ally Musa said Morogoro’s vision of becoming Tanzania’s leading spice production and processing region is rapidly becoming reality.

“Today we have witnessed spices being dried using modern technology and processed into essential oils. Morogoro is no longer simply producing spices—it is adding value to them. This marks the beginning of a new era for the region.”

He said the investments demonstrate that Morogoro possesses both the agricultural potential and processing capacity needed to become a nationally significant centre for spice production.

Higher Quality, Better Prices

One of the project’s most significant achievements has been improving product quality through modern post-harvest technology.

Traditional drying methods often expose cloves to contamination and inconsistent quality. The introduction of solar drying systems has enabled farmers to consistently produce Grade 1 cloves, significantly improving their competitiveness in premium export markets while increasing farm-gate prices.

The project also established learning exchanges with Get Aroma Spices to train producers on food safety, quality assurance and value addition, ensuring Tanzanian spices meet increasingly demanding international market standards.

Looking ahead, AGCOT is supporting the emergence of local agro-processing entrepreneurs by facilitating interest-free financing for selected spice farmers to acquire specialised essential oil processing equipment, further strengthening domestic value addition.

Markets That Deliver Results

Unlike many agricultural projects that focus primarily on production, the Spice Agroforestry Project placed equal emphasis on commercialisation.

Approximately 1,200 farmers were connected to buyers and market actors across the spice value chain.

The results were immediate.

During the 2025 reporting period, participating farmers sold 30 metric tonnes of spices, generating USD 183,662 in revenue. The benefits reached approximately 1,000 farmers, with 40% of beneficiaries being young people and 20% women, highlighting the project’s strong emphasis on inclusive rural economic development.

Investing in the Next Generation

One of the initiative’s most innovative components extends beyond agriculture into education.

Under the “Jisomeshe na Mkarafuu” (Educate Yourself with Cloves) campaign, launched in Mkuyuni Ward, more than 8,000 clove seedlings, valued at TZS 26 million, were distributed to 800 Form One students across five wards—Mkuyuni, Tawa, Ikonde, Kinole and Kiroka.

Students are nurturing the trees at home, with the expectation that, once mature, they will provide a long-term income stream to help finance their secondary and higher education while encouraging environmental stewardship among young people.

The programme represents an innovative approach to linking education, climate action and household income generation.

Public-Private Partnership Driving Transformation

The project was implemented through a consortium comprising AGCOT, the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) and the World Vegetable Center, working closely with the Morogoro Regional Secretariat, Morogoro District Council and private-sector partners.

John Banga, AGCOT’s Morogoro Regional Manager, said the investment demonstrates how strategic partnerships can unlock rural industrialisation while supporting the Government’s ambition of establishing Morogoro as Tanzania’s leading Spice Aroma Hub.

“This initiative shows that Morogoro has both the natural potential and the partnerships required to become a leading centre for spices and aromatic crops. By investing in local processing and value addition, we are creating more jobs, increasing farmer incomes and strengthening the region’s contribution to Tanzania’s economy.”

Morogoro District Executive Director Margaret Cavalo praised the Regional Commissioner’s Office and AGCOT for bringing together development partners and private investors to strengthen the district’s spice value chain and create an enabling environment for long-term agro-industrial investment.

A Model for Africa’s Green Agricultural Transformation

As global demand continues to grow for sustainably produced spices, botanical extracts and natural essential oils used in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and wellness industries, Morogoro’s experience offers a compelling model for agricultural transformation across Africa.

By integrating nature-based solutions, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, farmer training, market development and rural processing into a single programme, the Spice Agroforestry Project demonstrates that relatively modest investments can generate substantial economic, environmental and social returns.

For Tanzania, the initiative represents more than a successful development project. It is an emerging blueprint for how climate-smart agriculture can move smallholder farmers beyond raw commodity production into globally competitive value chains—positioning Morogoro as a future hub for high-quality spices and essential oils in Africa.