Coffee farmers in Tanzania are encouraged to produce more to boost their country's output in the cash crop.

The encouragement was made by Tanzanian Vice President Ali Mohamed Shein who officially opened the third East African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition in Arusha on Thursday, according to reports reaching Dar Es Salaam on Friday.

He said that governmental efforts including providing adequate and affordable inputs to farmers had been underway to encourage and to ensure an increase in coffee production and improvement in coffee quality.

More than 500 coffee growers, makers and importers from 10 African countries have gathered in Arusha for the conference and exhibition.

Tanzania produces an average of 50,000 tons of coffee, mainly the Arabica type, every year. But the east African country is anticipating to produce 70,000 tons by the year 2010 and the production will further rise to 100,000 tons by 2015.

Coffee production accounts for between 30 and 40 percent of Tanzania's foreign exchange earnings.

Source: Xinhua