TANZANIA – The Agricultural Seeds Agency (ASA) has announced that it has exceeded its seed production targets for the 2022-2023 season, set by the Tanzania Food Systems Resilience Program (TFSRP).
This significant achievement was announced by ASA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sophia Kashenge, during a training session at the ASA Kilimi seed farm in Nzega District, Tabora.
She said as per the program’s special evaluation, the Agency has managed to surpass the set seeds production targets by at least 128 percent.
The TFSRP, a US$300 million initiative financed by the International Development Association (IDA), aims to support the implementation of three result areas under the government’s broader Agriculture Sector Development Program II (ASDP II).
Originally, ASA aimed to produce at least 6,000 tons of kernels across its seed estates during the 2022/23 season.
However, the agency successfully raised a total of 7,600 tons, surpassing the target by 128 percent. Dr. Kashenge credited this success to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with private seed companies and the dedicated efforts of the ASA team.
“We’re really appreciating the good work and collaborations we have kept on receiving from the private companies we work with, and the smooth working system which has enabled us to achieve this milestone towards seeds production,” said Dr. Kashenge.
Looking ahead, ASA has set an ambitious target of producing 9,000 tons of seeds for the 2023/2024 season.
The agency plans to produce 8,500 tons of various crops internally while collaborating with private companies to meet and potentially exceed this goal.
ASA, a state-owned entity responsible for seed production in Tanzania, is ranked 8th out of 167 seed companies in the country.
The agency’s land resources contribute to at least 28 percent of all seeds produced in Tanzania, underscoring its pivotal role in the nation’s agricultural sector.
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