DAR ES SALAAM: AS the 2024/2025 farming season begins in several regions across Tanzania, fertiliser availability stands at an encouraging 77 per cent of the total demand.
By November 30, 2024, the country had secured 769,060 tonnes of fertiliser out of the 1 million tonnes required for the season, according to the government.
The fertiliser stockpile comes from three sources: 260,403 tonnes from last season’s stock, 58,669 tonnes from domestic production and 449,988 tonnes imported from abroad.
Elaborating, the Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Gerson Msigwa, noted that the significant role of local production in this achievement has been bolstered by the use of domestic materials like rock phosphate.
“Domestic production has improved substantially, rising to 158,628 tonnes in the 2023/2024 financial year, compared to 84,696 tonnes in 2022/2023,” said Mr Msigwa, highlighting the ongoing cooperation aimed at boosting local fertiliser production.
In addition to fertilisers, the availability of quality seeds has reached 53 per cent of the estimated total demand of 80,000 tonnes for the current farming season.
As of November 30, 2024, over 42,470 tonnes of seed had been secured, with 29,819.57 tonnes produced locally and over 12,600 tonnes imported.
This marks a significant improvement in seed production, which has grown from 42,096.68 tonnes in the 2022/2023 season to 56,114 tonnes in 2023/2024.
Mr Msigwa further said that this upward trend in local seed production is a key milestone towards achieving self-sufficiency in agricultural inputs.
The government has also been working to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and attract private sector investment to further improve seed production, particularly through the state-owned Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA).
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As part of efforts to reduce farming costs for Tanzanian farmers, the government continues to provide subsidised seeds and fertilisers.
The initiative, managed by the Tanzania Fertiliser Regulatory Authority (TFRA) and the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI), has been instrumental in strengthening food security and supporting the supply of raw materials for industries.
Through the Digital Subsidy System, the government has registered over 4.1 million farmers, 31 companies, 2,800 fertiliser traders and 666 agents with over 7,000 active outlets.
The system aims to streamline the distribution of subsidised farming inputs. In response to the ongoing rains in several regions since October, farmers have been encouraged to purchase subsidised fertiliser and seeds.
From July 1 to November 30, 2024, the government sold 253,669.342 tonnes of fertiliser worth over 435 billion Tanzanian shillings under a 90 billion shilling subsidy.
Additionally, 4,000 tonnes of maize seeds, valued at over 3.4 billion shillings, have been sold to 79,335 farmers.
In a bid to enhance agricultural extension services, the government has provided 5,285 tablets for extension officers, along with 15 cars for regional agricultural officers, 10 cars for district officers and 6,444 motorcycles for agricultural officers.
The government has also distributed 143 soil scanners, 1,000 extension kits and 6,456 uniforms to extension staff. To further support extension officers, the government is constructing 50 houses and procuring an additional 300 motorcycles for officers without transportation.
Mr Msigwa encouraged farmers who have not yet registered for farming identification numbers to do so at their village or street offices.
This registration will help farmers access subsidised fertiliser and seeds.
As Tanzania prepares for a productive farming season, these efforts are set to empower farmers, improve agricultural outputs and contribute to the country’s long-term agricultural growth.
