With installation capacity to process at least 3 tons of seeds per hour, the modern agro facility is projected to play key role in help improve the country’s performance in the production of improved seeds varieties.
In his brief remarks during official launching of the plant, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (PS) in the ministry of agriculture, Dr. Hussein Mohamed Omary said the government was very determined to invest highly into the seed sub-sector as well as irrigation schemes technology.
"Currently, the government is working round the clock to increase the country’s crops export incomes from the current 1.2bn/- annually to at least 5bn/- by 2030, and this aspiration will not see the light of the day if we will not invest seriously into production of improved seeds," he informed.
According to him, intensive research and production of abundant improved seeds were among the key factors necessary needed to help push for effective metamorphosis of the agriculture sector in Tanzania.
"We're remaining optimistic that through use of this modern machine Tanzania will in the near future deter from seed dependency syndrome from outside the country, the vital development which will increase food security, but also generate foreign currencies through marketing improved seeds to other countries," he observed.
In this fiscal year, the agriculture ministry has set aside at least 360bn/- to facilitate a major project for the installation of modern irrigation schemes in all regions with seed production activities, the main focus being to ensure seeds are produced in the country throughout the year.
Speaking on her part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tanzania Agricultural Seeds Agency (ASA), Dr. Sophia Kashenge spoke over the need for the government to amass more land for supporting seeds production activities across the country.
According to her, an estimated 250,000 hectares were needed to quench the county's seeds thirst by producing at least 300,000tons annually, unveiled that currently the total area used for seeds production was around 16,000 hectares, whereby seeds production was only at 50,000tons.
In an effort to help bridge shortage of edible oil in the country, Dr. Kashenge detailed that the state-owned seed Agency, ASA, was continued producing improved seed variety for palm oil, called TENELA.
"For instance, currently we have a total of 170,000 seedlings of TENELA variety of palm oil at this seed farm (Msimba farm), the seedlings will be channeled to the relevant farmers come next growing season, " she expressed.
The Msimba farm, which has also being installed with the modern irrigation scheme, is famous for the production of different improved seeds, including palm oil, sunflower, sorghum as well as maize.
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