SPICE growers in Muheza District, Tanga Region have hailed the government for bringing agricultural extension officers close to them, allowing them to access technical knowledge on farming and marketing.

Speaking to this paper, the chairman for the Union of spices farmers at Amani ward, Haji Shembilu on behalf of other farmers expressed their satisfaction with the government for providing motorcycles and tablets to agricultural extensions officers saying the move had also helped them to be regularly visited by the experts to be given technical advice.

On December 30, 2023, Muheza District Administrative Secretary (DAS) Mohamed Mfaki together with District Council Director (DED) Dr Jumaa Mhina launched spice harvesting season at Amani Division comprises six wards of Amani, Kisiwani, Kwezitu, Mbomole, Zirai and Misalai and pledged to help them selling their products into profitable prices.

"Despite being known for growing the crops seasonally, many of us have been growing the crops locally and recorded low harvests or sometimes poor-quality harvests, which caused the situation to sell them at low prices," he said.

For his part, DAS Mohamed Faki said spice farming is productive and profitable if farmers comply with better farming procedures and will help them escape from poverty by generating their households.

He further pledged as the district government will continue to make sure to uplift their living standards by creating a conducive environment for planning good prices once harvesting seasons reach to avoid lobbying and compromise low prices set by agents.

Muheza District Council Director Jumaa Mhina said that spices touched Muheza economy by explaining that revenues collected from spices contributed to the district council's income after oranges.

In Muheza spices are grown into three divisions--Bwambwera, Amani and Muheza with cocoa, black pepper, cloves, and cardamom grown largely.

In Muheza a kilogram of clove is sold between 17,000/- to 18,000/-, cocoa is sold for 15,000/- and black pepper is sold for 15,000/- whilst cardamom is sold for 12,000/-