Summary
Located in the Muheza Usambara Mountains of Tanga, Longuza plantation forms a crucial part of the ancient Eastern Arc mountain chain, and has been developed over 72 years by TFS to strengthen Tanzania’s industrial roundwood sector.
MUHEZA: THE Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), through its Tanga- based Longuza forest plantation, has successfully managed to nject over 40.6bn/- to the state coffer.
This substantial revenue has been generated over a period of five consecutive years through timber production and auctioning to wood traders.
TFS conducts electronic auctions for standing teak trees within the plantation, targeting the industrial roundwood market.
The plantation spans 8,775.65 hectares and is dedicated to the mass production of Tectona grandis (teak).
Located in the Muheza Usambara Mountains of Tanga, it forms a crucial part of the ancient Eastern Arc mountain chain, and has been developed over 72 years by TFS to strengthen Tanzania’s industrial roundwood sector.
Briefing the press on the plantation’s performance, Conservation Officer Doreen Moshi reported that during the 2020/21 fiscal year, the plantation generated 4,826,980,848.24bn/- from annual harvesting and sales.
In 2021/22, revenue rose to 9,397,143,397.26/-, while the 2022/23 fiscal year yielded approximately 8,102,313,522.88/-
“Through professional production and tree management, we recorded increased profits in the 2023/24 fiscal year, with sales reaching 10,105,780,484.00/- ,” Moshi stated.
She further noted that during the 2024/25 fiscal year, the government earned at least 8,172,573,763.00/- from the plantation, with expectations of higher profits in the current year’s sales.
Regarding market trends, Moshi observed that most buyers are foreign nationals from India, China, and other Asian countries.
Beyond timber sales, the plantation has also ventured into apiculture as an additional revenue stream within the high-value teak production forest.
“We officially began beekeeping at this plantation during the 2024/25 fiscal year, targeting the production of key bee-related products, primarily honey, wax, bee milk, glue, and propolis,” she explained.
Currently, the project has established 50 major beehives, with a goal to double that number to 100 by June 2027, aiming for an annual honey production of 280 kilograms.
“In the 2024/25 fiscal year, we produced at least 105kgs of honey. Since the beginning of this year, we have produced 103kgs of honey and 15kgs of wax,” Moshi added.
The Longuza forest plantation is surrounded by 25 villages, positioning it favorably to engage neighboring communities in its daily operations.
“Community engagement is essential, particularly for ensuring security,” Moshi said.
She noted that over 500 villagers are employed monthly on a casual basis to carry out various activities within the plantation.
“There are numerous benefits that our neighbors, especially youth and women, derive from our daily operations,” she added.
As part of its structured corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, TFS, through the plantation, extends various forms of support to surrounding communities.
“Over a five-year period, from 2020/21 to 2024/25, the plantation spend at least 346,839,100/- to give back to the community through diverse support initiatives,” Moshi noted.
Additionally, the forest plantation offers ecotourism attractions, including waterfalls, the German bridge, diverse bird species, the Tongwe natural dam, and the Tongwe mountain viewpoint.
Longuza serves as a key industrial source of high-quality, pest-resistant timber for furniture and construction, often sold via auction to timber traders.
Teak trees occupies over 2,000 hectares (98 percent) of the plantation, with smaller sections dedicated to Milicia excelsa, Terminalia species, and Cedrela odorata.
The site has also been used for studies on provenance growth, wood properties, and thinning, with a recommended 3×3 meter planting spacing to ensure optimal quality.
TFS continues to conduct electronic auctions for standing teak trees at the plantation, targeting the industrial roundwood market.
