Exploring Organic Apple Farming in Tanzania: A visit to Tam Tam Tanzania

On the evening of November 22, 2024, I embarked on a remarkable journey from Dar es Salaam to Ifunda Village in the Iringa Region, driven by MG Empire Consultancy Limited’s mission to identify and promote promising investment sectors in Tanzania.

The trip spanned over 500 kilometres, beginning at 9 p.m. when I boarded a bus in Dar es Salaam. After an overnight journey, I arrived in Iringa Town around 6 a.m., where I rested for two hours before continuing.

From Iringa Town, I travelled 43 kilometres to Ifunda Village by bus. My final stretch was a 9-kilometer motorbike ride from the village centre to Tamu Tamu’s farm and office.

Despite the long journey, the experience was invigorating and underscored the potential of Tanzania’s agricultural sector.

Together with my colleague, Godfrey, we were well received and joined other farmers from Iringa and Njombe Region who were interested to learn about apple farming.

Tamu Tamu Tanzania Ltd (TTT) recently hosted its annual Open Farm Gate Weekend, an event that invites everyone to visit their facilities.

Attendees were offered free training sessions on commercial apple farming and had the opportunity to witness TTT’s operations first-hand.

In groups of 15 people, we were taken to a 30 minutes class on all aspects of Apple farming and its value chain. The class session was followed by a farm tour and practical trainings in the field.

Tamu Tamu Tanzania: Building the apple industry

Tamu Tamu Tanzania Ltd is proud to be the first commercial apple orchard and apple tree nursery in East Africa, cultivating apple varieties that rival the size and quality of those from South Africa.

In 2017, the company imported over 50 apple varieties and conducted a comprehensive five-year R&D phase to identify the most suitable varieties for Tanzania and other equatorial African countries.

What truly sets TTT apart is its commitment to the highest quality standards and organic farming practices, ensuring that its apples are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

TTT not only sells premium apple seedlings to farmers but also shares its expertise openly by publishing knowledge and training videos on YouTube, freely accessible to all.

Once farmers harvest their apples, the company purchases them back, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

TTT then packages and sells the apples or processes them into high- quality food products.

This symbiotic model supports local agriculture while securing a consistent supply of apples for the company’s production lines, driving growth and sustainability in Tanzania’s agricultural sector.

Diversifying Products: From Apples to Beverages

Beyond fresh apples, TTT has ventured into producing apple-based beverages. They craft the first 100 percent natural apple juice in the country and have introduced a range of apple related products, including alcoholic cider varieties.

The company has already hosted several tasting events in various locations in the country, unveiling ciders with diverse flavours, much to the delight of attendees.

Addressing Tanzania’s apple import dependency currently, Tanzania relies heavily on imported apples, with the majority sourced from South Africa.

In 2023 alone, the country imported approximately $75 million worth of fresh apples, highlighting a significant dependence on external suppliers.

TTT envisions transforming the apple industry in Tanzania and across other African nations by fostering local production.

This vision aims to generate life-changing income streams for farmers and investors in the apple value chain, while enhancing food security and bolstering the local economy.

Despite their impactful efforts, the journey to fully replace imports is still in its infancy.

 Based on projected tree sales, TTT estimates that by 2030, they will meet less than three percent of Tanzania’s fresh apple demand.

This highlights a vast opportunity for expansion and emphasizes the need for greater investment and collaboration to accelerate the development of a robust local apple industry.

How MG Empire Can Help

At MG Empire Consultancy Limited, we are committed to supporting investors and farmers interested in exploring opportunities in Tanzania’s burgeoning apple farming sector.

Whether you are looking to partner with TTT or venture into apple farming independently, we provide tailored solutions to help you succeed.

Our services include conducting feasibility studies, preparing comprehensive business plans, and assisting with business registration processes.

We are your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of starting and scaling agricultural projects in Tanzania.

Conclusion

My visit to Tamu Tamu Tanzania was both enlightening and inspiring.

Their dedication to organic farming, product innovation, and community empowerment exemplifies the potential of Tanzania’s agricultural landscape.

For investors and farmers ready to seize these opportunities, MG Empire Consultancy Limited is here to guide you every step of the way.

To learn more about how we can help turn your investment aspirations into reality, contact MG Empire

Consultancy Limited today at info@ investment.co.tz, or +255 754271750

Together, we can build a sustainable and profitable apple farming industry in Tanzania.