Enriching seed systems: IRRI-Africa collaborates with partners to enhance rice seed production in Tanzania

Moshi, Kilimanjaro, 28th February – 02 March 2023 – The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Tanzania office successfully concluded a three-day quality seed production training to accelerate genetic gain and create awareness and demand for good quality seeds of improved, climate-resilient, and high-yielding rice varieties.

The training combined theoretical and practical sessions and was organized in partnership with the Kilimanjaro Agricultural Training Center (KATC), Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI), Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA), and Kilimo Trust (KT). Ms. Nice Wilfred Ntupwa from the Ministry of Agriculture, George Iranga from IRRI Tanzania, and the acting principal of (KATC) Peter Aloyce Kabelo officiated the opening of the training.

A total of 30 farmers from 22 regions and 30 district councils benefited from the training program which covered seed quality, seed legislation, seed production planning, preparation of seeds for planting, crop establishment and management, proper harvesting, seed drying, and storage and packaging. Participants also had the opportunity to visit seed production farms and gain practical experience in quality seed production. The training also emphasized the importance of good water management practices, soil analysis before applying fertilizers, maintaining cleanliness on the farm, and eliminating impurities from seed lots to ensure high quality and high germination rate.

The training specifically focused on Quality Declared Seed (QDS) to equip stakeholders in the seed value chain, including women and youth, farmer groups, individual farmers, and government institutions with the necessary skills and knowledge to become proficient in quality seed production. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the content and delivery of the training and noted that it would contribute to improving food security and livelihoods in the region.

Mr. Iranga highlighted the low awareness of improved high-yielding and climate-resilient rice varieties and the poor availability and…