How Sh30 billion scheme will boost vanilla farming in Tanzania

Over Sh30 billion is expected to be injected in the implementation of vanilla farming project in the capital, Dodoma.

The project that will be implemented in three years aims at promoting the crop business and job creation to the youth.

Vanilla Village Limited CEO Simon Mnkondya told The Citizen that the investment comes after success recorded in Zanzibar.

He said the money will be utilized for construction of greenhouses that provide optimal temperature and humidity favourable for vanilla farming.

Mr. Mnkondya said greenhouses are provided with raingun irrigation systems aimed at providing the crops with dew conditions which is essential for vanilla production.

“About 40 bore wells will be drilled to provide sufficient water to the farm as well as constructing reliable roads to the farm. Also, a produce processing plant will be built as some of the funds will be used for procurement of seeds,” he said.

Furthermore, he said about 130 Tanzanians are currently working on the project, 60 percent of them women from vulnerable situations and agriculture experts.

According to him, the project will cover 125 hectares of land while 1,350 people will be recruited.

“They include people who will indirectly participate in vanilla farming but benefit with the expertise of vanilla village,” he said.

He said after three years of investment, the company is expecting to harvest 70 tonnes of the produce, therefore meeting annual demands of clients in Dubai, Germany and the US.

Mr Mnkondya said vanilla market speculators from Israel and Germany have predicted that in the next six years, the crop will be sold at $1,500 per kilo which is equivalent to Sh3.585 million.

He said in the last 12 years, the crop was sold at $50 per kilo which is equal to Sh119,500 at the present exchange rate of Sh2,390 per US dollar.

Currently, the crop is sold at $500 per kilo which is equivalent to Sh1.2 million.

“Even if the price of vanilla plunges, the crop will maintain its second position among crops fetching high prices behind saffron which is sold at $5,000 per kilo, advising Tanzanians that under the country’s context vanilla was the future.

Furthermore, Mr Mnkondya said his investment in the auspicious Zanzibar has been attracting an average of 50 to 70 tourists per day for learning purposes and procurement of goods.

He commended the government for its support including leaders who have joined the investment race for crop production.

“Dodoma has a conducive environment for vanilla farming including presence of non-acidic water and fertile soil,” he said.

He said the crop which is used as spice originated from southern eastern Mexico and Central America, noting that other countries cultivating the crop are Tahiti, Uganda, India, Comoro and Madagascar.

Furthermore, he said vanilla entered Tanzania in 1954 from neighbouring Uganda and started to be grown commercially in 1992 before making the country among major producers.

“Vanilla Village Limited has been educating farmers theoretically and practically about vanilla farming using its block farms for demonstrations,” he said.

Studies have established that vanilla increases children’s level of memorization capability, hence increasing the general academic performance.