Tanzania calls on ASB PP members to increase investment in quality seeds

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has called on member states of the African Seed and Biotechnology Partnership Platform (ASB PP) to increase investment in agricultural research, technology and the production of quality seeds to boost productivity, address climate change and strengthen food security across Africa.

The call was made by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Director of Crop Development, Yasinta Zongela, during the opening of the Third General Assembly of the African Seed and Biotechnology Partnership Platform, taking place in Dar es Salaam.

She said that through its National Agricultural Agenda, Tanzania aims to achieve an annual growth rate of 10 per cent in the agricultural sector.

Zongela noted that during the 2024/2025 agricultural season, Tanzania produced 23.8 million tonnes of food against a national demand of 18.3 million tonnes, representing a food self-sufficiency ratio of 130 per cent.

She emphasised the importance of investing in quality seeds that are resistant to climate change and diseases, while commending the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) for introducing labels that enable farmers to verify the authenticity of seeds before purchasing them.

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She added that ongoing development plans for the seed sector are aimed at increasing production, strengthening quality control and attracting private sector investment.

Meanwhile, the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) Senior Programme Officer for Agriculture and Rural Transformation, Dr Clement Adjorlolo, said African countries are discussing plans to establish five regional banks for the conservation of seeds and genetic resources to strengthen agricultural research and protect the continent’s seed diversity.

He said implementing the initiative would require cooperation among member states and technical partners.

The four-day meeting has brought together agricultural sector stakeholders from more than 20 African countries to discuss seed quality, research, investment and policies aimed at increasing agricultural production and strengthening food security across the co