Kilimanjaro regional commissioner urges stakeholders to promote local coffee consumption
What you need to know:
- According to the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB), more than 93 percent of the country’s coffee production is exported, while only seven percent is consumed locally.
Moshi. Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Nurdin Babu, has called upon coffee stakeholders to capitalise on the upcoming “Coffee Festival” to promote coffee consumption locally and reduce dependency on international markets.
Speaking during the launch of preparations for the fifth edition of the event scheduled to begin on October 4, 2024, Mr Babu highlighted the need to boost domestic coffee consumption.
According to the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB), more than 93 percent of the country’s coffee production is exported, while only seven percent is consumed locally.
“This festival is a crucial initiative, and I am pleased to support it. If well-managed, it will enhance Kilimanjaro's reputation as a key coffee-growing region,” said Mr Babu.
He emphasised the importance of increasing local coffee consumption to strengthen the domestic market.
"We must work hard to ensure our citizens, particularly farmers, embrace coffee drinking. By uniting all stakeholders, we can achieve the target of increasing domestic coffee consumption," he added.
“Our current coffee consumption rate is unsatisfactory. We are overly reliant on the international market. It is essential to promote coffee drinking among our people and farmers,” Mr Babu reiterated.
He also urged the board and stakeholders to raise awareness about the health benefits of coffee and dispel myths that coffee has adverse effects. "We must do everything possible to educate the public about the advantages of this popular beverage."
The TCB director general, Mr Primus Kimaryo, said the festival would provide an opportunity for coffee stakeholders to share knowledge and improve the quality of coffee served to both locals and foreigners.
“This is the fifth year of the Coffee Festival, which was created to offer coffee makers a platform to learn and enhance their ability to deliver a premium cup of coffee,” Mr Kimaryo said.
“Even in our hotels, the coffee served does not always reflect the quality of what we produce," he added.
The chairperson of the organising committee for the festival, Mr Dennis Mahulu, said the event will feature various competitions, including coffee tasting and brewing contests, aimed at encouraging quality production and promoting the domestic market.
"We are committed to engaging stakeholders and recognising the contribution of farmers in the coffee industry. The festival will also include educational sessions on the health benefits of coffee, market trends, research, climate change and more," Mr Mahulu said.
