Tanzania to phase out khat planting in favor of coffee farming

Tanzania is set to transform 600 acres of land which were formerly illegally used to grow khat into coffee farms, authorities said on Thursday.

It is estimated that 28 villages in the Pare Mountain ranges of northern Tanzania's district of Same, Kilimanjaro Region were involved in illegal production of khat,a plant which is classified as a narcotic.

Herman Kapufi is the District Commissioner of Same who said: "From now on we're going to transform all farms which are being used for growing narcotic drugs such as khat into coffee. And the government is going to provide all the incentives and ways on how to grow the crop."

Addressing coffee stakeholders in northern Tanzania, DC Kapufi said: "As government, we are phasing-out khat farming activities in the area, and already people have been informed on the negative side of khat farming and offer them skills on how to grow coffee."

According to the official, the move is geared towards reviving coffee, which in recent years has started performing better in the global market.

He said in the area, where the government plans to introduce coffee production has conditions favorable for coffee production.

Farmers who are to be involved in the proposed coffee farming asked Tanzanian government to ensure that all necessary farm inputs are guaranteed so that they could produce competitive crops.

Primus Kimaryo, Acting director general of Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB), called farmers in the area to embrace modern coffee farming techniques, so that the venture is used as a tool to eradicate poverty.

Tanzanian coffee production averages between 30,000-40,000 metric tons each year. Endit