Don’t gamble with seeds: Farmers urged to verify authenticity to protect their investments and harvests

SINGIDA: Think before you plant is a message that should be heeded by any farmer. Here, as the planting season approaches, maize farmers in Singida Region have been urged to make informed decisions about the seeds they purchase, with agricultural experts emphasising the importance of verifying seed authenticity and selecting varieties suited to local growing conditions to reduce production risks and improve productivity.

The call comes at a critical time for smallholder farmers, who must commit money, labour and other resources to land preparation and crop production long before they can determine the outcome of the harvest. For many households, choosing the right seed is therefore more than a routine farming decision; it is an important step towards protecting their investments, strengthening food security and improving livelihoods.

These concerns have prompted the launch of a four-month seed awareness campaign, dubbed “DEKALB Mafanikio Shambani,” spearheaded by Bayer East Africa in collaboration with seed industry stakeholders, including the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI). The initiative has also reached farmers in the Lake Zone and Morogoro Region, extending its message to growers in different agricultural environments.

Speaking during the campaign launch in Singida, Bayer Life Science Tanzania Sales Supervisor Edilitruda Temba said access to appropriate seed and reliable agricultural information was essential, particularly for smallholder farmers whose livelihoods depend heavily on the performance of their crops.

“Our commitment goes beyond selling seeds; it is about securing the livelihood of farming families and the nation’s food basket. By ensuring that the smallholder farmer has access to the right DEKALB seed, we are providing the foundation for a prosperous harvest,” said Temba.

Her remarks highlight the importance of equipping farmers with practical knowledge before they begin planting. Although seed selection is one of the earliest decisions in the production cycle, its implications extend throughout the season, influencing how farmers plan their expenditure, manage their fields and respond to local growing conditions.

A key component of the campaign is educating farmers on how to identify and verify the authenticity of maize seed before making purchases. The process is intended to help growers establish whether seed carrying a TOSCI electronic verification sticker can be authenticated, reducing the risk of investing in unverified products.

Temba explained that farmers purchasing seed packages bearing the TOSCI e-verification sticker could scratch the sticker to reveal a unique code, dial 14852# on their mobile phones and follow the instructions to enter the code.

The verification process provides farmers with a practical way to check seed authenticity before planting, while reinforcing the importance of buying from authorised agro-dealers. By encouraging growers to take these precautions, the campaign seeks to strengthen awareness of seed verification and promote more informed purchasing decisions.

However, establishing the authenticity of seed is only one part of successful maize production. Even genuine, quality seed cannot guarantee a bumper harvest if rainfall is inadequate, soil conditions are unsuitable or recommended crop management practices are not followed. Farmers must therefore combine verification with careful planning and sound agronomic decisions.

Beyond seed authenticity, the campaign places considerable emphasis on selecting maize varieties according to the conditions in which they will be grown. Bayer says the initiative covers five DEKALB maize hybrids, with characteristics intended to address different farming needs, including areas experiencing lower rainfall and challenges associated with crop diseases.

This guidance is particularly important because agricultural conditions vary across locations. Differences in rainfall patterns, soil characteristics and other environmental factors can influence crop performance, making it essential for farmers to assess their local circumstances before settling on a particular variety.

“Farmers are encouraged to consider local rainfall patterns, soil conditions and recommended agronomic practices when choosing varieties, as seed suitable for one environment may not perform equally well in another,” Temba insisted.

The advice reinforces the need for farmers to make planting decisions based on their individual circumstances rather than assuming that a variety that performs well in one location will deliver similar results elsewhere. Access to reliable information, alongside guidance from agricultural extension services and other qualified advisers, can help growers make choices that better reflect their production objectives and environmental conditions.

The campaign also comes as Tanzania pursues broader efforts to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen the contribution of farming to economic development. Under the Government’s Agenda 10/30 roadmap, the country targets average maize yields of six tonnes per hectare by 2030, up from a baseline of 1.75 tonnes per hectare cited in the document.

Meeting that ambition will require more than expanding access to seed. Farmers will also need appropriate fertiliser use, stronger agricultural extension services and improved farming practices, supported by reliable information and production decisions suited to local conditions.

In this context, initiatives that promote seed verification and educate farmers about variety selection can contribute to wider efforts to improve productivity. By helping growers understand what to check before purchasing seed and what to consider before planting, the campaign seeks to support decisions that may reduce avoidable risks and improve the use of agricultural resources.

The broader national development agenda also places agriculture at the centre of Tanzania’s economic transformation. Tanzania Development Vision 2050 identifies the sector as an important driver of employment creation, improved household incomes and economic progress. Raising agricultural productivity is therefore relevant not only to individual farmers but also to the livelihoods and food security of communities that depend on the sector.

To encourage participation, the DEKALB Mafanikio Shambani campaign also features a consumer promotion offering prizes that include knapsack sprayers, smartphones, motorbikes and planters. Farmers who purchase genuine DEKALB seed from authorised agro-dealers and complete the verification process can participate in the promotion.

While the prizes add an incentive, the campaign’s central message remains focused on awareness, verification and informed decision-making. Farmers are being encouraged to treat seed selection as a deliberate investment decision, taking time to establish authenticity and identify varieties appropriate for their growing conditions.

As the planting season draws closer, the initiative offers a timely reminder that successful maize production begins well before seeds are placed in the soil. For choosing suitable varieties and following recommended agronomic practices are important steps towards managing production risks.

Ultimately, stronger agricultural performance depends on a combination of quality inputs, reliable information and sound farming practices. By bringing these considerations to the forefront, the campaign aims to help farmers make better-informed planting decisions while supporting Tanzania’s broader pursuit of more productive and sustainable agriculture.

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