The Tanzania Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) has unveiled a state-of-the-art seed processing plant worth 800 million Tanzanian Shillings at its Msimba seed farm in Kilosa, located in the Morogoro region. Equipped with advanced technology, the seed processing facility has the capacity to process a minimum of 3 tons of seeds per hour. Its installation is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing the country's production of improved seed varieties.
During the official launch of the plant, Dr. Hussein Mohamed Omary, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Agriculture, expressed the government's commitment to investing significantly in the seed sub-sector and irrigation technology. Dr. Omary emphasized the importance of intensifying research and production of abundant improved seeds as key factors in transforming Tanzania's agriculture sector. He stated that the government aims to increase crop export earnings from the current 1.2 billion Tanzanian Shillings per year to at least 5 billion Tanzanian Shillings by 2030, which requires substantial investment in improved seed production. He further noted that the installation of the modern seed processing plant is expected to reduce the country's dependence on foreign seeds, enhance food security, and generate foreign currency by exporting improved seeds to other nations.
The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated 360 billion Tanzanian Shillings in the current fiscal year to support a major project for installing modern irrigation systems across all regions involved in seed production. The focus is to ensure year-round seed production within the country. Dr. Sophia Kashenge, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tanzania Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA), highlighted the need for the government to acquire more land to support seed production activities nationwide.
Currently, approximately 16,000 hectares are dedicated to seed production, producing only 50,000 tons annually. Dr. Kashenge emphasized the requirement for an estimated 250,000 hectares to meet the country's seed demand, aiming to produce at least 300,000 tons each year. Addressing the shortage of edible oil, Dr. Kashenge mentioned that ASA is producing an improved seed variety for palm oil called TENELA. The Msimba farm, equipped with modern irrigation systems, is renowned for producing various improved seeds including palm oil, sunflower, sorghum, and maize.