Malawian officials visit TOSCI Headquarters in Morogoro to learn how it manages quality seed production

MOROGORO: A delegation of Malawian officials on a study tour of Tanzania has visited the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) headquarters in Morogoro to learn from Tanzania’s experience in managing the seed system and ensuring farmers have access to quality seeds that meet established standards.

The delegation is led by Malawi’s Controller of Agriculture Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Jerome Chim’gonda, and includes government officials, members of Parliament and representatives from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

The delegation was received by TOSCI Director General Nyasebwa Chimangu, who provided a detailed briefing on the institution’s mandate, systems and procedures used to regulate and certify seed quality in Tanzania.

The presentation gave the Malawian delegation an opportunity to learn how TOSCI oversees seed quality through regulation, inspection and certification, as well as systems designed to ensure farmers have access to quality seeds that meet established standards.

Speaking during the visit, Chimangu said that despite various challenges facing the seed sector, Tanzania had made significant progress in strengthening seed quality control systems.

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He said the progress had contributed to the development of the agricultural sector, including improving food security and enabling surplus agricultural production to reach both domestic and export markets.

For his part, Chim’gonda said the study tour had provided the delegation with an important opportunity to learn from Tanzania’s experience, particularly in developing robust systems for commercial agriculture, strengthening agricultural institutions and improving productivity.

He said Malawi was in the final stages of establishing a seed regulatory authority similar to TOSCI in Tanzania.

Chim’gonda said Malawi would continue drawing lessons from Tanzania’s experience to ensure that the authority, once established, operates professionally and efficiently in regulating the country’s seed sector.