By Anthony Muchoki
ARUSHA, Tanzania — The pursuit of a green revolution in Tanzania’s agriculture sector is already showing promise, as local companies have begun to engage in agribusiness in earnest. Notably, some of these companies have ventured into producing quality seeds for maize, sorghum, and sunflower.
Large-scale seed farming presents opportunities for more farmers to access well-researched seeds in terms of quality standards, ready availability, and affordability. These seeds are well-suited to the weather and soil conditions of various local farming areas.
Producing seeds locally that meet the required standards is likely to challenge firms that have previously been importing seeds at a high cost in Tanzania. Moreover, this move towards domestic seed production can reduce the expenditure of scarce foreign currency currently used for seed imports. This saved currency can be redirected towards other activities in the country’s mission to revolutionize agriculture, including specific projects like the ‘Kilimo Kwanza’ (Agriculture First) Initiative and the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor-Tanzania (SAGCoT).
Recently, the Dar es Salaam Government faced criticism in the National Assembly for allocating meager funds for research, particularly agricultural research. This critique was presented by the Civic United Front (CUF) Member of Parliament (Special Seats), Riziki Omar Juma.
While contributing to the debate on the ministerial budgetary estimates for the 2013/14 financial year, Riziki insisted that adequate research studies are crucial for development. She cited a lack of such studies in Tanzania due to insufficient budgetary allocations as the primary reason for the agriculture sector’s sub-optimal performance.
Riziki further explained that research in agricultural issues would help in the production of quality seeds. Farmers using these seeds would then produce quality crops in sufficient quantities. This would not only ensure long-term food self-sufficiency and security but also potentially improve performance in both domestic and export markets.
There’s a shift in the tides, though. The African Green Revolution in Agriculture (AGRA) has been providing loans and other forms of support to firms and individuals who have shown interest in investing in agriculture. Contrary to the previous situation, AGRA has already provided aid to about 11 firms to produce quality seeds in the country. This follows thorough research on various seed species and related issues.
Dr. George Bigirwa, a senior AGRA Seed Project Officer based in Nairobi, Kenya, confirmed that 11 Tanzanian firms have benefited from AGRA aid. He further revealed that eight out of these 11 companies continue to receive support under the program.
Continued production of quality seeds will eliminate the inconvenience that farmers experience when relying on imported seeds. Local seed production will elevate the ‘Kilimo Kwanza’ initiative to new heights.
The ‘Kilimo Kwanza’ program, an initiative of the Fourth Phase Government of the United Republic, aims to achieve a green revolution in Tanzania by the year 2015. It seeks to ensure sustainable food self-sufficiency, marking a significant improvement over the policies of the First Phase administration of President Julius Nyerere (1962-85), which encouraged the public to value and develop agriculture.
Broad-based education on good farming practices is attracting more participants to the sector, with many investing in agribusiness. This is a positive step towards the envisioned green revolution.
AGRA is contributing to this positive shift by supporting farmers, particularly those producing quality seeds. This is a departure from the past, when farmers viewed agriculture as merely a means of sustenance. There’s a slow but steady change in this mindset, with some farmers now actively seeking to modernize their farming techniques.
Dr. Bigirwa mentioned that AGRA began supporting local farmers with capital in 2007. To ensure that agricultural investments thrive sustainably, AGRA.everything is bound to improve significantly.
Agriculture in Tanzania is transforming, and this positive change will surely have a substantial impact on the country’s economy and food security.
Another positive development comes in the form of comprehensive support provided by AGRA to farmers in general, and to those engaged in producing quality seeds in particular.
Previously, farmers, especially indigenous ones, saw agriculture as a means of sustenance, with most of them tilling the land using a hand-hoe as a habitual activity. This perception is now shifting gradually, with some actively seeking to transcend the traditional farming practices of the past!
It should be noted that AGRA began supporting local farmers with capital in 2007. In order to ensure sustainable success for investors in agriculture, AGRA not only supports serious investors but also offers credit to farmers for purchasing inputs and working tools as a standard practice.
AGRA officials also routinely visit and inspect the farms they assist to ensure that the aid they provide is spent as intended. In this context, the officials also offer expert advice on how to move forward.
Illustrating this, AGRA Project Vice-President, Dr. Segenet Yelemu, recently toured farms that have already benefited from the project loans in the administrative regions of Manyara, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania.
Accompanied by the organization’s senior officials, including the director’s assistant, Ann Mureithi, from the Communications Department, Dr. Yelemu specifically visited the farm of Mahamood Ahmed Mohammed, the director of Iffa Seed Ltd at Galapo in Babati District, Manyara Region.
Speaking to the visitors at his farm, Mohammed acknowledged the substantial benefits of AGRA’s financial support. This aid has enabled him to cultivate more than 500 hectares of quality maize seeds, from which he anticipates harvesting more than 2,000 tonnes of quality seed.
Mohammed also revealed that the promising harvest is partly due to this year’s favorable weather conditions, a significant improvement over the previous year.
Discussing the challenges he faces, Mohammed mentioned insufficient capital, as no high-street banks seem willing and ready to provide loans for such farming operations.
Other challenges include the ongoing climate change and the ever-rising prices of farm inputs, which he says, seem to invariably follow government budgetary estimates. He also noted that taxes on seed production and packaging are another formidable challenge, contributing significantly to the increase in seed prices.
However, Mohammed remains ambitious, aiming to produce a variety of seeds that meet national and international quality standards. He encouraged all farmers to start using quality seeds for high yields.
Mohammed further urged the Government to establish a special agricultural insurance scheme that would “help farmers return to more prosperous days of farming if their crops are destroyed by adverse weather conditions, including droughts and floods.”
Furthermore, he took the opportunity to advise the people of Tanzania not to outrightly reject large-scale farmers. Another farmer in Babati, Rajesh Atiya of Krishna Seed Ltd, told the visitors from AGRA that he expects a bumper harvest this year.
Atiya noted that AGRA has helped him with cash and has also enabled him to interact with other networks of farmers, including seed agents. He credits this for his increased awareness of agricultural issues.
Another beneficiary of the AGRA financing program is Chacha Watanga Goryo of Meru Agro-Tours & Consultants Ltd, operating in Arumeru, Arusha, and Mbeya.
Goryo talks about the problem of climate change, stressing that it is one of the significant challenges to producing quality seeds in sufficient quantities. However, he is determined to continue producing seeds regardless.
Goryo also identifies other challenges, including the presence of too many seed firms in Tanzania, which he says contributes to lowering market prices and sometimes missing customers due
o oversupply. He urged the Government to carefully control the licensing of new seed companies.
One of the more significant impacts of the AGRA project has been the increase in the number of female farmers, a testament to the growing gender equality in Tanzania’s agricultural sector. Among these successful women is Rosemary Ndanu of Kimande Seed Co. Ltd, who operates in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region.
During the visit by the AGRA officials, Ndanu expressed her gratitude for the support she received from AGRA, stating it has enabled her to produce quality seeds and increase her income. However, she too voiced concerns about climate change and its impact on farming operations.
Concluding their tour, the AGRA officials encouraged the farmers to persevere through the challenges. They emphasized that AGRA’s commitment to continue providing support in the form of financial aid and expertise would remain unwavering. They further urged the farmers to continue embracing modern farming methods and the use of high-quality seeds to improve yields.
Dr. Yelemu was also optimistic about Tanzania’s agriculture sector’s future, predicting a significant improvement in farmers’ income and the country’s food security.
The , transformation of Tanzania’s agricultural sector, with an emphasis on the adoption of modern farming techniques and quality seed production, shows a promising future for the country’s food security and economy. It highlights the importance of financial and technical support, like that provided by AGRA, in fostering this transformation and empowering farmers to overcome the challenges they face.
It also underscores the need for collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, including farmers, seed producers, financial institutions, and the government, to address issues like climate change, the cost of farm inputs, and the establishment of agricultural insurance schemes. This collaboration will ensure the continued growth and success of Tanzania’s agricultural sector.