Tanzania nears launch of fertiliser blending facility
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA is finalising a state-of-the-art fertiliser blending facility to produce soil- and crop-specific fertilisers, aiming to boost its agricultural input system and reduce reliance on imports.
The Tanzania Fertiliser Company (TFC), under the Ministry of Agriculture, is leading the development of a high-capacity fertiliser blending facility to support the government’s goals of boosting productivity, ensuring food security and providing timely, subsidised inputs to farmers.
At the ongoing 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, TFC Director General Mr Samuel Mshote announced that the facility will produce up to 120 tonnes of customised fertiliser per hour.
He emphasised the importance of delivering the right products efficiently and partnering with research institutions like TARI.
ALSO READ: Fertiliser subsidy hailed for transforming agriculture
Mr Samuel Mshote, Director General of the Tanzania Fertiliser Company (TFC), emphasised that soil health testing will be central to determining the specific nutrient needs of different agro-ecological zones.
He stressed that aligning fertiliser production with actual soil and crop requirements is key to achieving efficient and environmentally sustainable farming.
“TFC is committed to ensuring our fertilisers reflect real conditions on the ground. This requires grounding production in research, data and local realities,” he said.
The government’s approach signals a shift toward precision agriculture, moving away from the traditional one-size-fits-all fertiliser application that has often resulted in poor yields and soil degradation.
Although soil testing remains under-utilised in many regions, it is gaining policy traction as a critical tool for guiding input use and boosting productivity.
Institutions like the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) are leading efforts to generate the necessary data to support these reforms.
Mr Mshote’s visit to TARI during the 49th DITF was part of a broader tour of key agricultural agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture, including the Tanzania Fertiliser Regulatory Authority (TFRA), Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) and Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC).
These engagements highlight a growing push for inter-agency collaboration to improve input delivery systems.
The shift toward data-driven, customised fertiliser production aligns with national strategies such as the Agricultural Sector Development Programme Phase II (ASDP II) and Agenda 10/30, which aim to modernise and commercialise the agricultural sector.
Experts note that misuse and underuse of fertilisers have contributed to stagnating yields in key farming areas.
By tailoring blends to actual field conditions, Tanzania aims to enhance productivity, support farmer livelihoods, and promote sustainable growth.
“We are not only investing in infrastructure, we are investing in science, systems, and long-term resilience for Tanzanian agriculture,” Mshote concluded.
