TANZANIA – The Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA), in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), has provided specialized training to more than 100 wheat farmers in the Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions.
This initiative, aimed at improving agronomic practices for professional wheat cultivation, marks a significant step toward addressing Tanzania’s growing demand for wheat.
Held at ASA’s Arusha-based seed estate, the training focused on practical knowledge essential for increasing wheat production and productivity.
Experts from ASA and AGRA led sessions, providing guidance on recommended cultivation techniques, modern growing principles, and the use of improved wheat seeds. This partnership seeks to uplift Tanzania’s wheat sector by empowering local farmers with the skills needed to enhance their yields.
Dr. Justin Ringo, ASA’s Production Manager, highlighted the positive outcomes of the training initiative.
“Through these initiatives, we have increased wheat seed production to over 1,200 tons, significantly improving yields for local farmers,” he said.
He emphasized the agency’s commitment to further empowering farmers by providing advanced seeds and sharing the latest farming techniques, which have already begun to bear fruit in boosting regional production.
Wheat is a key cash crop in Tanzania, especially in high-altitude regions such as Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Manyara, and the Southern Highlands, where it contributes substantially to food security and income for rural communities.
Echoing the impact of the training, Mary Machaku, ASA’s Acting Business Development Director reassured farmers of continued support.
She stressed that the agency would ensure a steady supply of improved wheat seeds at subsidized prices, enhancing farmers’ access to quality inputs.
ASA has also introduced a new wheat variety, SST 884, imported from Zambia. This hybrid variety is known for its adaptability, maturing within 90 to 110 days and yielding 14 to 18 sacks per acre, making it a promising option for Tanzanian farmers.
Government efforts to strengthen the wheat sector
To further bolster wheat production, the government launched a strategy in the 2023/2024 farming season, providing Makete district with 1,000 metric tons of subsidized wheat seeds through ASA.
Plans are also underway to establish two wheat processing plants, with Makete identified as a potential site for one of the factories.
Despite its importance, wheat production in Tanzania remains low, with annual output hovering around 100,000 metric tons—far below the national demand of 1,000,000 metric tons.
As a result, the country relies on imports for 90 percent of its wheat consumption.
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