By Bisola Adeyemo
Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) has called for grapes value addition to boost the country economy.
The Institute also said the grape farmers need simple grape processing facilities for crushing and pressing the fruits into watery form for easy handling, instead of transporting them raw to another location.
Speaking with Daily news, TARI’s Makutupora Centre Director, Dr. Cornel Massawe, said they are facing an uphill task to encourage farmers to cultivate grapes in areas where there are no processing plants.
The grape processing factories are in Dodoma [city].
“We want all Dodoma to grow grapes and then move to another region,”
“Once we satisfy ourselves that Dodoma, which is most suitable area in the country (for grapes farming), is fully exploited on winegrowing we will move to another region.
“In Dodoma we are also encouraging traders and farmers to invest in small grape processing factories even if they are not for wine making, to prevent grapes from going bad
“Our goal is to see that when people decide to farm grapes should realise the investment benefits. The idea behind is to create a ready market for farmers’ produce to avoid postharvest loss,” he said.
Our goal is to see that when people decide to farm grapes should realise the investment benefits. The idea behind is to create a ready market for farmers’ produce to avoid postharvest loss,” he said.
To that effect, the TARI– Makutupora Centre continues to conduct training for farmers and extension officers on good agricultural practices for grapes production along the value chain at Chamwino District Council in Mpwapwa , Dodoma region.
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