600 tonnes of subsidised sunflower seeds bring smiles to farmers
DODOMA: THE sunflower farmers in Dodoma and Singida regions may have all reasons to smile following a move by the Agricultural Seeds Agency (ASA) to distribute at least 600 tonnes of the subsidised sunflower seeds.
The improved seeds have been distributed to the growers in the country’s sunflower hub as per the government’s directives.
Among others, the vision of the robust exercise is to assure the farmers in the central zone corridor are getting the high-yielding variety at affordable prices in order to engage into mass production of the edible oil raw crop with assured productivity.
Speaking to the sunflower growers and stakeholders during the tailor-made forum for the official launching of the seeds distribution exercise, ASA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Sophia Kashenge noted that farmers will receive a total of 600 tonnes of the subsidised seeds, out of which, 315 tonnes were hybrid breed seeds.
“These seeds which have high yielding potential will be marketed to the farmers at indicative patriotic prices in order to help them heighten production and productivity,” Dr Kashenge added.
She urged the seed dealers to make sure they market the seeds at the set prices, and not otherwise, saying the government through the Ministry of agriculture had decided to subsidise the seeds in a crucial mission to help elevate production of crop, being with an eye to curtail shortage in availability of edible oil across the country.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, David Silinde said the government was working hard to ensure at least 5,000 tonnes of improved sunflower seeds were produced, informing that so far, a total of 2,045 tonnes have been produced through ASA and other institutions in the private sector.
According to him, the seeds will be marketed to the farmers through subsidised prices in different sunflower growing regions across the country to help increase production of the edible oil raw crop in this season.
“The government is working to overcome the existing shortage of edible oil in the country, that is why it is executing diverse initiatives, including a move to ensure the farmers are equipped with enough improved seeds, and at affordable prices,” he insisted.
Statistics show that Tanzania ranks 10th in the world for sunflower production, 2nd in Africa and 1st country in East Africa. In Tanzania, sunflowers are found to grow well in almost all regions, which is a prestigious economic opportunity for the country.
The Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP) indicates that sunflower is the most likely sub-sector to yield investable opportunities in Tanzania.
However, production of the crop which contributes to at least 68.9 per cent of all edible oil produced in the country has remained low due to several factors, including challenges in availability of improved seed varieties with high oil content.
The country is currently producing only 290,000 metric tonnes of edible oil, forcing it to annually import 420,000 metric tonnes and it is forecasted that demand would increase to 700,000 metric tonnes by 2030.
As per the recommendations, the sunflower grains are supposed to possess oil content from between 38 and 44 per cent, but most of the grains produced in the country are at 34 per cent.
Source Link: https://dailynews.co.tz/600-tonnes-of-subsidised-sunflower-seeds-bring-smiles-to-farmers/
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