New coffee standard opens markets for Tanzanian farmers

  • Regenerative Agriculture Certification launched this week by Rainforest Alliance.
  • The certification is aimed at restoring soil health, protecting biodiversity, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian coffee farmers could gain higher incomes and more resilient harvests after the launch of a new Regenerative Agriculture Certification, a global program aimed at restoring ecosystems in tropical regions while strengthening farmer livelihoods.

The certification announced on September 9, 2025 by Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organization, works to restore the balance between people and nature  for both to thrive in harmony.

According to the organization, the certification is aimed at restoring soil health, protecting biodiversity, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who produce the bulk of the world’s coffee.

The initiative comes at a time when climate change, pests, and environmental degradation are cutting yields and threatening rural incomes.

In Tanzania, where coffee is a key export and source of income for thousands of households in Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, and Ruvuma, the certification is expected to provide both market access and higher earnings for farmers who adopt regenerative practices.

The Rainforest Alliance says the new standard will give farmers and companies a clear, science-based way to measure their progress. Certified farms will be evaluated across five areas: soil health and fertility, climate resilience, biodiversity, water stewardship, and farmer livelihoods. 

Products that meet the requirements will bear a new regenerative seal, expected to appear on coffee packages starting in 2026.

Senior Director for East and Southern Africa at the Rainforest Alliance, Julius Ng’ang’a says the certification represents a shift in how markets support agriculture.

“Markets need to move beyond a ‘do no harm’ mindset to one that repairs and restores,” Ng’ang’a says. “Now is the time to transition to a new model of agriculture, one where every cup of coffee gives back more than it takes from the land and the people who care for it.”

Coffee is a key export and source of income for thousands of small farmers, higher yields and market access is key in improving livelihoods. Photo | Daily News.

Recent study on regenerative coffee investment case by TechnoServe shows regenerative farming practices can improve income by up to 20% to 30%. 

For Tanzanian producers, this could mean more stable earnings even as weather extremes and global market shifts affect coffee supply. 

Independent auditors will assess farms, and only those meeting the standard will be allowed to use the seal.

The certification also responds to growing consumer demand for sustainable products. For companies, sourcing regenerative coffee strengthens supply chains and supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. For buyers, the seal offers assurance that their purchase is helping both farmers and ecosystems.

The Rainforest Alliance has begun implementing the program in Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Certified coffee from these countries is expected to reach shelves in 2026, with Tanzania and other African producers encouraged to join early to secure market advantages.

Zifahamu aina za zabibu na matumizi yake

  • Ni pamoja na zabibu zisizo na mbegu zinazofaa kukaushwa kuwa kavu.

Zabibu ni tunda lenye mvuto wa kipekee linalotumiwa duniani kote kwa njia mbalimbali. Iwe ni kuliwa kama tunda bichi, kutengeneza mvinyo au kukaushwa. Kila mtu na matumizi yake.

Tunda hili dogo liko katika mnyororo wa thamani wa tamaduni za chakula, afya na biashara, likiwa chanzo kizuri cha lishe, nishati na hata kipato kwa wakulima.

Hata hivyo, zabibu hazifanani kwa umbo na muonekano. Kwa nini? Kwa sababu ya utofauti wa mazingira na matumizi yake. 

Kwa mujibu wa Taasisi ya Utafiti wa Kilimo Tanzania (TARI), zabibu zimegawanyika katika makundi makuu matatu: za kutengenezea mvinyo,  za kuliwa kama matunda na zabibu za kukaushwa (raisins)

Utamu wa zabibu siku zote hutofautiana kulingana na aina ya zabibu. Picha/ Canva

Katika makala hii, utazifahamu aina hizi kwa undani zaidi kuanzia sifa zake hadi matumizi yake halisi. 

1. Zabibu za kutengenezea mvinyo

Zabibu hizi huchangamkiwa zaidi kwenye sekta ya uzalishaji wa vinywaji vya pombe, hasa mvinyo mwekundu na mweupe. 

Hutumiwa katika viwanda vya mvinyo duniani na hupandwa kwenye maeneo yenye hali ya hewa isiyo na joto kali wala baridi kali na mvua ya wastani

Nchini Tanzania, aina maarufu ni Makutupora nyekundu, Syrah, na Chenin nyeupe. Aina nyingine zinazotumika ni pamoja na ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Chardonnay’, Tempranillo na Airén.

Zabibu hizi huwa na tunda lenye juisi nyingi na ganda jembamba. Pia huwa na kiasi kikubwa cha sukari, ambayo ni muhimu kwa utengenezaji wa pombe kwa njia ya kuchachua.

Kwa kawaida, zabibu hizi haziliwi moja kwa moja kwa sababu ladha yake ni kali au chachu hivyo hupitia usindikaji ili kutoa mvinyo wenye ubora wa kimataifa, kulingana na aina ya zabibu na eneo la uzalishaji.

Zabibu za Cabernet Sauvignon asili yake ni Bordeaux ambako imekuwepo tangu karne ya 18. Picha/Canva.

2. Zabibu za kuliwa kama matunda

Hizi ni zabibu zinazopendwa kwa ulaji wa moja kwa moja bila kupitia usindikaji wowote. 

Huuzwa kama tunda sokoni na mara nyingi hupatikana katika maduka au masoko ya matunda.

Aina maarufu nchini ni Makutupora nyeupe, ‘Regina’, ‘Black Rose’, ‘Rosso’ ‘Crosso’, na ‘Alphonce Lavallee’. 

Zabibu ya Concord mara nyingi huitwa ‘Zabibu ya Marekani’ kwa sababu aina hii ilitengenezwa ili kuwapatia Wamarekani zabibu iliyofaa kwa hali zao za kilimo za kienyeji. Picha/ The Tree Center.

Aina za kimataifa ni pamoja na ‘Concord’, ‘Niagara’, ‘Everest Seedless’, ‘Edelweiss’, na ‘Bluebel’.

Zabibu hizi huwa na nyama nyingi, juisi kidogo na ganda gumu kiasi, zina kiwango cha chini cha sukari ukilinganisha na zabibu za mvinyo.

Zabibu za Niagara zilianza kuuzwa kibiashara mwaka wa 1882 na tangu wakati huo zimekuwa maarufu sana. Picha/FR.

Kwa sababu ya muonekano wake wa kuvutia, ladha tamu, na muundo wake thabiti, aina hizi hupendwa na walaji wa rika zote, hususan watoto.

Wakati wa kula huchanganywa na matunda mengine katika saladi au kwa matumizi ya moja kwa moja majumbani.

3. Zabibu za kukaushwa (raisins)

Hizi ni zabibu zinazolimwa mahsusi kwa ajili ya kukaushwa na kutumika baadaye kama kitafunwa au kiungo katika vyakula. Hutumika kwenye maandazi, keki, mikate, pilau na hata chakula cha watoto. 

Baadhi ya aina zinazopatikana ni ‘Beauty Seedless’, ‘Ruby Seedless’, ‘Halili Belly’, ‘Kismis Creven’, na ‘Cotton Candy’

Ukila hii zabibu kijani yenye maji, utaelewa kwa nini ni maarufu sana licha ya kuwa na ladha kama ya pipi ya pamba (cotton candy) l ni nzuri kwa kiafya. Picha/FR.

Za kimataifa ni pamoja na ‘Black Raisins’, ‘Currants’, ‘Sultanas’, ‘Flame Raisins’ na ‘Golden Raisins’.

Majina haya ya zabibu yametokana na asili ya sehemu zinapopatikana.

Zina umbo dogo, ganda jembamba na hazina mbegu, hali inayorahisisha ukaushaji wake kuwa wa haraka. Baada ya kukaushwa, huwa na ladha tamu zaidi na hudumu kwa muda mrefu. 

Zabibu kavu (raisins) zina kiwango cha chini cha mafuta ya asili na zina virutubisho vyenye afya. Picha/ Canva.

Raisins hupendwa kwa matumizi ya kila siku na ni chanzo kizuri cha nguvu kwa watoto, wanafunzi, na watu wanaofanya kazi nyingi za kushughulisha mwili.

Wewe unachagua aina ipi ya zabibu?

Tumbaku yazitikisa kahawa, korosho mauzo nje ya nchi Tanzania

  • Thamani ya mauzo nje ya nchi yaongezeka takriban mara mbili ndani ya mwaka mmoja.

Dar es Salaam. Tumbaku ni moja ya bidhaa tatu asilia zinazoongoza kwa kuuzwa kwa wingi nje ya Tanzania na zilizoingiza fedha nyingi za kigeni licha ya kupigwa vita na wadau wa afya kuwa inahatarisha maisha ya watumiaji. 

Kwa mujibu wa Ripoti ya Hali ya Uchumi Tanzania mwaka 2023 iliyotolewa na Wizara ya Fedha hivi karibuni, katika bidhaa za asilia zinazouzwa nje ya nchi tumbaku inachuana kwa mbali na kahawa na korosho. 

Korosho, kahawa, chai na mkonge ni miongoni mwa mazao makubwa ya asilia ambayo huchangia kwa kiwango kikubwa fedha za kigeni nchini ila ukuaji wa uzalishaji wa tumbaku umezidi kuyapiga kikumbo mazao hayo. 

“Mwaka 2023, thamani ya mauzo ya tumbaku nje ilikuwa Dola za Marekani milioni 340.4 (Sh828.2 bilioni) ikilinganishwa na Dola za Marekani milioni 178.5 (Sh411.5 bilioni) mwaka 2022, sawa na ongezeko la asilimia 90.7,” inasema ripoti hiyo iliyotolewa na Wizara ya Fedha.

Ripoti hiyo inaeleza kuwa mafanikio hayo yalitokana na kuongezeka kwa mauzo ya tumbaku kwa zaidi ya mara moja na nusu hadi kufikia tani 82,000 mwaka 2023 kutoka tani 49,300 mwaka 2022. 

Uuzaji wa zao hilo nje ya nchi ulienda sanjari na kiwango cha uzalishaji wa tumbaku ulioongezeka takriban mara mbili ndani ya mwaka mmoja kutoka tani 70,699 mwaka 2022 hadi tani 122,859 mwaka jana. 

Uzalishaji wa tumbaku umekuwa ukiongezeka mwaka hadi mwaka Tanzania jambo lililochochea ongezeko la kiwango cha zao hilo kuuzwa nje ya nchi. Picha: Akili Mnemba. Picha hii imetengenezwa na akili mnemba kwa ajili ya kuongeza muktadha kwenye makala hii tu na si kuonyesha uhalisia.

Bei yaibeba tumbaku

Wastani wa bei ya kuuza tumbaku uliongezeka kwa asilimia 14.5 katika soko la dunia na kufikia Dola za Marekani 4,150.8 (Sh11.1 milioni) kwa tani mwaka 2023 kutoka Dola za Marekani 3,624.1(Sh9.7 milioni) kwa tani mwaka 2022.

Ingawa kiasi cha wingi wa korosho kinachouzwa nje ya Tanzania ni zaidi ya mara mbili ya kiasi cha tumbaku na kahawa, thamani ya tumbaku kwenye soko la kimataifa inazidi kwa zaidi ya mara 1.5 ya thamani ya korosho na kahawa. 

Kwa hesabu hizo, tumbaku inakuwa bidhaa asilia yenye thamani kubwa zaidi inayouzwa nje ya nchi. Bidhaa nyingine zisizoasilia zinazochangia zaidi fedha za kigeni ni dhahabu, utalii na bidhaa za viwandani. 

Miaka ya hivi karibuni kumekuwa na hamasa kubwa ya kuongeza ufanisi katika uzalishaji wa tumbaku kwa kutumia mbinu za kisasa za kilimo na kuimarisha uchakataji wake ili kupunguza athari kwa mazingira.

Mfano, kampuni Mkwawa Tobacco Processing Limited (MTPL), imeendelea kufanya uwekezaji mkubwa katika usindikaji tumbaku, ikiongeza ajira na kuinua uchumi wa wananchi na wafanyabiashara. 

Uwekezaji huo katika uzalishaji na usindikaji unaofanywa na wakulima na viwanda vya zao hilo, unafanya tumbaku kuwa ni miongoni mwa bidhaa asilia zinazochangia kiwango kikubwa kwenye pato la taifa.  

Pamoja na uwekezaji huo kumekuwa na presha kubwa kutoka kwa wadau wa afya hasa wanaharakati wakiitaka Serikali kudhibiti vikali uzalishaji na utumiaji wa tumbaku unaochangia maradhi kwa binadamu ikiwemo matatizo ya mapafu.

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