Improve coconut farming to reduce edible oil imports

TANZANIA is the leading producer of coconut in Africa, but still its initiatives to develop and increase production do not benefit its farmers and address constant importation of edible oil. Speaking to the 'Daily news' in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute, Mikocheni Centre (TARI Mikocheni) Manager Dr Zuberi Bira said coconut farmers should be encouraged to cultivate modern varieties and apply good methods, which raise production to increase their incomes. In his explanation, it was noted that Tanzania is producing an estimated 800 million pieces of coconut per year that still does not make it potential to feed the local demand and export some. “We plan to continue boosting production of coconut crops to limit increasing importation of edible oil from abroad. Tanzania is the leading country in the production of coconut in Africa, but still imports from neighbouring country of Kenya to fulfill its demands." He noted that if farmers use good ...