Tanzania switches on Seed Co plant as a move to reduce reliance on imported seeds

**ARUSHA: **TANZANIA is moving to reduce reliance on imported seeds as the government pushes for increased local production of quality and affordable seeds to transform agriculture and raise farmers’ incomes.

Minister for Agriculture Daniel Chongolo said this during the inauguration of a Seed Co Tanzania plant in Arusha, noting that the investment by the company in a modern seed processing plant in the country is a key step towards strengthening the country’s seed industry and driving agricultural transformation.

According to the minister, the investment demonstrates strong cooperation between the government and the private sector under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to drive economic transformation through agriculture.

“The plant has to ensure that quality seeds reach farmers easily and at affordable prices, but also it is important to work closely with extension officers to provide farmers with education on proper seed use. Agriculture is business, and the work continues,” Mr Chongolo said.

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Elaborating, he noted that the government has continued to implement strategies to transform agriculture, including increasing the sector’s budget and advancing the 10/30 Agenda, which seeks to grow agriculture by 10 per cent by 2030.

He said programmes such as Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) were also equipping young people and women with business skills and opportunities to contribute to the country’s food self-sufficiency.

The Seed Co investment is expected to create direct employment for Tanzanians and expand opportunities for local farmers through outgrower schemes, while ensuring farmers have access to quality seeds on time and at lower cost.

Moreover, the government, through the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) and Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI), is also strengthening research infrastructure and modernising seed quality control systems through digital technologies.

According to Mr Chongolo, the measures position Tanzania to become a seed hub for the wider East and Central African region.

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