CROSAT sets to promote better use of improved seeds, pesticides

The idea is to boost crop production compared to the current situation.

Patrick Ngwediagi, CROSAT secretary, made the call here yesterday when speaking with journalists ahead of this year’s association annual general meeting (AGM).

He said that currently, the use of improved seeds and pesticides are still low, which in turn reduces crop production per acreage.

On issues of quality seeds, Ngwediagi said the goal of the association is to enable the majority of farmers to use quality seeds derived from the best types of seeds.

He said that through the general meeting expected to be held in Dodoma on December 19-20 this year; experts will present the real state of seeds in the country and discuss in detail how to increase the production of quality seeds for self-sufficiency.

“Experts will discuss how to produce quality seeds and the availability of seeds and the systems used to ensure that we get quality seeds and in the end we will come up with a strategy and recommendations to advise the government, the community on all issues that make it possible to get quality seeds,” said Ngwediagi.

Regarding the trends in the use of pesticides in the country, Ngwediagi said the meeting will also take care of the best use of pesticides due to the fact that there is no proper use of pesticides and contributing to the harm to the farmers themselves not getting the intended results.

“For example, a farmer can use a pesticide that was intended to be used for another disease, or another insect used for an unintended disease, thinking that each pesticide treats the plant and as a result suffer a loss,” said Ngwediagi.

He said that the incorrect use of pesticides can cause harm to the health of consumers in this country and can prevent the export of agricultural products from the country because the products received abroad have been tested before entering the market.

CROSAT assistant secretary Dr Yasinta Nzogela speaking about the participation of women, said that in the association women have been motivated to join Academic Institutions such as Universities, Central Colleges and that they continue to motivate local government women.

Dr Nzogela mentioned that other women are from the private sector who own companies in the agricultural sector, who own farms so that they can survive by getting the right education and different positive ideas in developing their agricultural activities.