DODOMA: As the world continues to experience the effects of climate change, particularly in the agriculture sector, the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) has intensified efforts to promote the production and use of climate-resilient seeds to help farmers cope with the changing conditions.
TOSCI seed inspector, Mr Shamba Mapalala, said this in an interview with the Daily News during the recently concluded Public Service Week Exhibition held at Chinangali Park in Dodoma, urging farmers to purchase certified seeds to avoid using substandard varieties that may fail to withstand climate change effects.
He said TOSCI is working to ensure that all seeds produced locally or imported into the country are of high quality, certified and suitable for current climatic conditions to protect farmers from losses caused by low productivity resulting from the use of uncertified seeds.
Mr Mapalala urged farmers to take the lead in reporting unscrupulous traders who sell uncertified seeds and violate seed regulations, warning that such practices threaten crop production and deny farmers income.
He emphasised that the use of quality, certified seeds is the foundation of productive agriculture and reliable harvests, urging farmers to collaborate with TOSCI in protecting the seed industry.
ALSO READ: Hidden threat of ‘Indian’ crows to sustainable birdwatching tourism
He said every farmer should become an ambassador for seed quality by reporting individuals engaged in illegal seed businesses, stressing that combating poor-quality seeds requires collective efforts from all stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
Mr Mapalala commended traders who comply with regulations and cooperate with TOSCI, while urging those conducting seed businesses without following procedures to register and adhere to the law in order to protect farmers’ interests and ensure food security in the country.
Director of Technical Services at the Weights and Measures Agency (WMA), Mr Francis Olwero, who visited the TOSCI booth under the Ministry of Agriculture pavilion, said the two institutions had discussed joint operations aimed at ensuring that seed dealers meet the required standards.
He acknowledged that weights and measures are a cross-cutting issue, including in the seed subsector, adding that protecting farmers is an important step towards safeguarding the entire agricultural industry.
TOSCI Human Resources Officer, Mr Pelegrin Lucas, said the institute participated in the week-long Public Service Exhibition to showcase how its workforce is working to protect the seed industry for national development.
Mr Lucas said TOSCI was established under the Seeds Act No. 18 of 2003 and is responsible for certifying and promoting quality agricultural seeds produced or imported into the country for sale, while protecting farmers from fake and poor-quality seeds supplied by unscrupulous agro-input dealers.
TOSCI has five main branches, including its headquarters in Morogoro Municipal. The other four branches are located in Tengeru (Arusha), Maheve (Njombe), Ukiriguru (Mwanza) and Naliendele (Mtwara).