Dr Stephan Ngailo, TFRA executive director disclosed at the weekend in an interview with this paper and added that the Authority’s plan is to make sure the farm input reaches farmers in time.
Dr Ngailo named the mobile phone firm to be involved in the plan including Vodacom and Airtel.
He said the two firms will have the responsibility to register new farmers to the subsidised fertiliser system.
He noted that in order to make sure subsidised fertiliser reaches farmers, importers and manufacturers thereof are also required to register in order to participate in the system to which they should incorporate their 2022/2023 registration details.
According to Dr Ngailo, fertiliser importers and manufacturers are required to identify agents they will work with in the distribution of the farm input as well as submitting lists of not less than seven minor distribution centres in every region.
“Fertiliser importers and producers will also be required to enter into agreements with traders and agents to purchase and distribute the fertiliser on their behalf and copies of the agreements should be submitted to TFRA,” said Dr Ngailo.
He said fertiliser importers and producers will also be required to make sure the subsidised fertiliser is packed in 25 and 50 kg bags and labelled ‘Subsidised fertilise’ and stamped with a QR Code to be supplied by TFRA.
He also said the subsidised fertiliser can also be packed in 5 or 10 kg bags according to farmers’ needs.
“Fertiliser importers and distributors should supervise their agents to make sure they sell it to farmers, and later submit financial claims of the subsidy to TFRA for payment after the input is sold to farmers,” he added.
In making sure TFRA is closer to farmers, Dr Ngailo said: “This year we shall fully participate in the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition in all zones countrywide.
“Our aim is to make sure farmers are educated about subsidised fertiliser and how to get it easily,” the official said.
“We’re also encouraging fertiliser manufacturers to ensure that they meet the standards governing the sub-sector, which plays a critical role to boost crop production,” said Thobias Mwesiga, the TFRA's board of director.
He said that in order for fertiliser to be allowed to be sold locally, it must have not only quality certificate by the Tanzania Institute of Standards (TBS), but also all the permits from the authorities in charge of the industry.
In addition, it has to meet the requirements of the TFRA, the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC), Chief Government Chemist and other authorities.
Hadija Jabir, TFRA’s board member also asked the investors to see how they can help farmers identify the health of the soil before using their products in order to use products that are compatible with the type of nutrients needed for the plant in their areas.
She also asked the investors not to hesitate to explain the challenges they encounter in their production activities, so that they can be advised on the best way to develop and solve their challenges.
Joseph Charos, TFRA’s director for domestic manufacturing and bulk procurement said the government spent 700bn/- to import fertiliser to meet the needs of farmers across the east African nation.
According to TFRA recent notice, the government has been working with stakeholders in regions bordering neighbouring countries to prevent smuggling of fertiliser
So far, the Tanzanian government launchedd the distribution of the inputs for the 2023/24 farming season.
The distribution started in the 2022/23 farming season with the purpose of increasing productivity, food sufficiency and raw materials availability for domestic industries and it has approved 150bn/- for subsidized fertiliser.
However, higher demand has pushed the government to spend 345.647bn/- on subsidies by April 2023, the amount which is 195.65 bn/- was higher than the150bn/- was used to procure 342.73 million tonnes of fertiliser, which benefited 782,553 farmers across the country.
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