TZ boosts certified seed use to strengthen agricultural sector

DODOMA: THE Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) has significantly increased the use of certified improved seeds among local farmers, from 50,750 tonnes in the 2021/22 season to 72,031.9 tonnes in the 2023/24 season.

This progress reflects a major milestone in Tanzania’s seed sector, driven by collaborative efforts between TOSCI, the Ministry of Agriculture and private stakeholders.

Their joint initiatives have focused on enhancing the availability, accessibility, utilisation and quality control of seed varieties across the country.

One of the overarching goals is to boost crop productivity and farmers’ incomes, ensure national food security and nutrition and support Tanzania’s participation in global agricultural markets.

TOSCI Director General, Mr Nyasebwa Chimagu, told the ‘Daily News’ recently that over the past four years, the state-owned seed certification body has worked tirelessly to uplift Tanzania’s agriculture sector.

“In particular,” he noted, “TOSCI has helped increase the percentage of certified seeds produced locally. For example, certified seed production rose from 34,799 tonnes in 2021/22 to 56,114.5 tonnes in 2023/24, accounting for 78 per cent of all certified seeds.”

Mr Chimagu attributed this growth to a conducive investment environment created by the government through supportive policies that have attracted private sector participation in seed production.

As a result, the land dedicated to seed production in Tanzania has expanded dramatically, from 10,674 hectares in 2014/15 to 99,885 hectares in 2023/24.

Further success has come from advancements in research and development.

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The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and in collaboration with seed companies, has strengthened scientific research on improved seed varieties.

“This has provided farmers with access to highyielding, drought-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties, which have significantly enhanced productivity,” he added.

Mr Chimagu also highlighted improvements in seed testing and verification processes, ensuring that priority crop seeds meet national standards before reaching farmers.

As a result of these concerted efforts, the number of registered seed varieties in Tanzania rose from 431 in 2015/16 to 604 in 2019/20.

TOSCI is responsible for field and seed inspection, sampling, testing and variety evaluation through processes such as National Performance Trials (NPT), Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) testing and control plot testing.

Headquartered in Morogoro, TOSCI has gained international recognition.

It is accredited by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and admitted to the OECD Seed Certification Schemes. This means Tanzanian-certified seeds can be sold both locally and internationally.