Young Farmers Lead the Charge: Spice Farming Initiative Boosts Incomes and Biodiversity in Morogoro

June 18, 2024

A remarkable transformation is taking place in the heart of Morogoro’s Matombo division. The traditionally rich but recently struggling spice farming industry is witnessing a revival, thanks to the collaborative efforts of diverse stakeholders, including the central, regional, and local governments, the SAGCOT Centre (SCL), and Tanganyika Christian Relief Services (TCRS), among others.

On June 17th, 2024, a team from SCL and TCRS visited spice farmers in Tawa, Morogoro, to witness firsthand the progress and challenges of this inspiring initiative. The visit began in Kifindike village, where young farmer Emanuel Alphonse spearheads a significant turnaround in spice farming. His 2-acre cardamom farm stands as a testament to the potential of young farmers to rejuvenate the industry. Emanuel’s story is one of resilience and innovation, showcasing how sustainable farming practices can improve livelihoods for many young people in Morogoro.

Emanuel’s farm, poised for its first harvest in December 2024, is a source of inspiration for many. Kifindike village itself is now a thriving hub for spice production, with annual outputs reaching one metric ton (MT) of cloves, 500 MT of cardamom, and 100 MT of black pepper. These spices, primarily exported through Dar es Salaam, are making a significant mark on the market. The team also visited a farm at Matombo Primary School, where six young people are cultivating spice seedlings for sale. Supported by TCRS, these young farmers are gaining valuable agricultural skills and contributing to the local economy. The seedlings they grow are highly sought after, with buyers coming from Kilosa and Morogoro to purchase them.

A Multi-Faceted Approach

The visit aimed to achieve several critical objectives:

1. Assess Crop Progress: The team evaluated farming practices and monitored the growth of spice seedlings in nurseries established at schools and with farmer groups. This assessment is crucial for understanding current practices’ effectiveness and identifying improvement areas.
2. Enhance Sensitization: The team promoted spice farming to boost farmer incomes and support biodiversity restoration in Morogoro’s mountainous areas. This dual focus ensures that economic development aligns with environmental sustainability.
3. Explore Partnerships: Discussions during the visit focused on identifying business scalability opportunities between TCRS, the project implementers, and SCL. These partnerships are essential for expanding the initiative’s reach and impact.

Sustainability Through Schools and Local Processing

One of the initiative’s standout features is its integration of schoolchildren into the farming process. TCRS has strategically involved students, promoting long-term sustainability by instilling agricultural knowledge and practices from a young age. This approach ensures a steady future workforce for the spice farming industry and embeds sustainable practices in the community’s fabric.

Additionally, SCL and the Morogoro government plan to introduce small factories for processing spice crops, including essential oil production, at the local level. This local value addition will significantly enhance the economic benefits of spice farming, providing farmers with more lucrative opportunities and reducing reliance on external markets.

Addressing Challenges and Setting Goals

Despite the positive developments, the initiative faces several challenges. A primary concern is the affordability of seedlings for local farmers. SCL and TCRS are committed to addressing this issue through targeted awareness campaigns and resource mobilization efforts. By making seedlings more accessible, they aim to ensure that all farmers can benefit from the project.

This initiative also aligns with the ambitious goal set by the regional government in May 2023, which aims to increase Morogoro’s spice production to 20,000 MT by 2030. Achieving this target will require concerted efforts from all stakeholders, but the current progress is a promising indicator of what is possible.

A Scalable Model for Shared Benefits

The SAGCOT Spice Value Chain Partnership is pioneering a sustainable business model that integrates economic and environmental benefits. By empowering farmers, encouraging biodiversity conservation, and fostering local processing, SCL and TCRS aim to drive positive transformations in the local economy and environmental practices.

This initiative is not just about increasing production; it’s about creating a model that can be scaled and replicated across the region. Doing so promises to deliver shared benefits to the community and the environment. The Morogoro Regional Government plays a crucial role in this transformation, working alongside SCL and TCRS to turn the region into the spice hub of mainland Tanzania. The revival of spice farming in Morogoro, driven by young farmers and supported by organizations like SCL and TCRS, is a story of hope and resilience. As farmers adopt sustainable practices and embrace new opportunities, they are paving the way for a brighter future for themselves and their communities. This initiative is a shining example of how collaborative efforts can lead to meaningful and lasting change, benefiting both people and the planet.

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