• 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.

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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.