Unlocking the Grape Value Chain

The goal of CultivAid’s Viticulture Initiative is to modernize and improve grape production and the value chain, by strengthening agricultural productivity, building knowledge in the grape sector and by supporting the transition in the economic activity of the region from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.

The program is a transformative initiative, focusing on strengthening the grape value chain in Dodoma. The program emphasizes four essential components: Research & Development, Extension to Farmers, Strengthening Winery Collaborations, Capacity Building Programs. The project strategically targets not just grape producers, but the wineries, thus establishing a value chain focused program.

CultivAid’s work aims to improve the quality and quantity of grape production through evidence-based interventions. The project is geared towards empowering both grape growers and wine producers, envisioning a substantial transformation within Dodoma’s viticulture landscape. Furthermore, the program is part of the Global FEWture Alliance, a partnership that includes the university of Maryland, The Hebrew University and Mbeya University of Science and technology.

Brief History of Grapes in Dodoma

Dodoma, Tanzania, stands as a promising frontier for grape cultivation, harboring immense potential within its fertile landscapes, thousands of farmers are already engaged in grape production and there is expansion in large, medium, and small-scale wineries.

  • Grape production in Dodoma has a rich history, dating back to 1938 when the Roman Catholic congregation of the Holy Ghost initiated vineyard cultivation in Hombolo.
  • In 1957, Father Irioreo Maggioni of the Passionist order within the Catholic Church established Veyula Formation House, situated on Arusha Road approximately 10-15 minutes from the AITeC Farm. The farm represents the first commercial-scale grape production site in the region.
  • After Tanzania gained independence in 1961, the government began expanding grape production efforts. The prison system introduced grape cultivation on four acres, spurring the growth of surrounding villages.
  • In 1979, significant milestones were reached with the establishment of the Dodoma Wine Company, a government-owned winery, and the Tanzanian Agricultural Research institutes’ Makutopura Viticulture Research and Training Center. These initiatives aimed to bolster grape production for the region and position Dodoma as a grape cultivation hub.
  • In 1999, Tanzania Distilleries Limited (TDL), a South African company, established the first commercial winery. Subsequently, in 2002, Italian engineer Francesco founded the Central Tanzanian Wine Company (owner of Domiya estate). These foreign investments contributed to the rapid growth of grape production in the region.
  • By 2013, the grape industry in Dodoma had flourished, with production reaching 12,000 tons on 8,000 acres. Annual wine production exceeded 3.5 million liters, valued at $70 million. Approximately 90% of grapes grown in Dodoma are utilized by the wine industry, processors, and wholesalers, with the remaining 10% serving local consumers and retailers (table grapes).

Today, Grapes play a significant role in the agricultural landscape of Tanzania, particularly in the Dodoma region. The primary grape-producing areas within this region include Dodoma city, with a specific focus Chamwino district. Grapes in this region are typically classified into two main categories, white and red grapes. Red grapes are used for wine making and as table grapes, while white grapes are used for wine.  Farmers in this region predominantly rely on wineries as their principal grape buyers, among the notable wineries are CETAWICO, ALKO VINTAGE, and JAMBO. Additionally, newcomers such as KISITU and CHIBAGO.