The Zanzibar Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) is poised to delve into the declining clove production trend with the backing of funding from the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). The commission has allocated a total of 70 million Tanzanian shillings to support research endeavors across various academic institutions in the country, including ZARI.
Dr. Mohammed Dhamir Kombo, the Director of ZARI, revealed that the institute intends to address the challenges affecting clove production, with an additional 30 million shillings earmarked for a comprehensive study on the reasons behind the declining output. Dr. Kombo emphasized the imminent commencement of the study, aiming to scrutinize the indicators and hurdles contributing to the diminishing clove production.
Historically, clove production in Zanzibar thrived, yielding over 30,000 tonnes. However, the landscape has shifted significantly since the mid-1990s, culminating in a stark reduction, with the 2022 production dwindling to a mere 8,736 tonnes. In response, the government has implemented various measures. These include the free distribution of seedlings to farmers and a substantial increase in the buying price from 5,000 to 14,000 shillings since 2010.
Dr. Amos Nungu, the Director-General of COSTECH, underscored the urgency of research funding solicitation to bolster the country’s competitiveness in the market. Highlighting the critical need for clove production research, Dr. Nungu revealed that the Zanzibar Planning Commission’s evaluation had identified an alarming annual decline despite the government’s interventions.
In a bid to fortify research efforts, the commission secured 250,000 US dollars from development partners, benefiting four esteemed higher learning institutions. These include Sokoine Agricultural College (SUA), the University of Dodoma (UDOM), the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) in Kibaha, and the Research Institute of Marine Life in Tanzania (TAFIRI), all poised to advance scientific inquiry in their respective domains.
As ZARI embarks on this pivotal research initiative, the broader implication of reviving clove production stands to benefit not only the agricultural sector but also the overall economic landscape of Zanzibar and Tanzania at large. The concerted efforts to unravel the enigma of declining clove production epitomize a crucial step towards sustainable agricultural practices and economic empowerment.
