September 10, 2014
Source: AVRDC Newsletter
Bottlenecks in Tanzania’s vegetable seed supply and distribution system make it difficult for farmers to obtain quality seed at the right time for planting. A more efficient and accountable system would benefit seed producers and distributors, vegetable growers, and ultimately, consumers.
Ensuring public- and private-sector stakeholders can more easily share information about seed is the aim of a new information technology initiative by AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center to be carried out in collaboration with Tanzania’s Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) and the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI), both headquartered in Morogoro, Tanzania. TOSCI was established to regulate seed businesses; ASA’s mandate is to promote the use of improved seeds as well as promoting private-sector participation in seed production, processing and marketing.
AVRDC Postdoc in Agricultural Economics Srinivasulu Rajendran, Information Technology Services Manager Bharath Krishnan and Vegetable Breeder Fekadu Dinssa met with ASA Chief Executive Officer Firmin Mizambwa and key TOSCI staff members Dorothy Ole-meiludie, George Swela, and Kilonzo Sarumbo on 1 August 2014 to discuss ways the Center can facilitate the exchange of information using information technology. For instance, one of ASA’s mandates is the multiplication and supply of publicly released variety “foundation seeds” for distribution to private seed companies, who in turn use the approved seed to produce commercial certified seed for sale to farmers. Better tracking of private seed company requests for foundation seed can help ASA manage production activities to ensure adequate seed supplies are available when needed.
The project, entitled “AVRDC’s VegOneX for Vegetables in Tanzania” is based on ideas forwarded by Srinivasulu, Bharath, and Socioeconomist Victor Afari- Sefa to the Center’s Innovation Fund committee. Srinivasulu Rajendran will lead the one-year project from September 2014 with support from headquarters. The effort to improve communication and information sharing among stakeholders will strengthen Tanzania’s vegetable seed supply chain—an important step toward building a more robust seed sector, improving the livelihoods of farmers, and providing consumers with the vegetables they need for nutritious, healthy diets.
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