Nafaka Project-Tanzania STTA Report IFDC Supervisory Mission (February 15-17, 2012)

The project focuses on the development of the rice sector, with a particular emphasis on improving seed quality and availability. The project area is located in the Morogoro region, where rice is a major crop. The project aims to increase rice yields and improve the quality of rice seeds available to farmers. To achieve this goal, the project is working with the Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) to promote the use of certified seed among farmers. Certified seed is a type of seed that has been tested and certified by the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) to meet certain quality standards. The project is promoting the use of certified seed because it is more reliable and consistent than other types of seed. However, the project also recognizes that the development of a formal seed industry in Tanzania is still in its early stages, and most commercial seed companies are focusing on more profitable crops like hybrid maize. To address this challenge, the project is proposing several interventions to facilitate the development of commercial rice seed production and marketing. These interventions include exposing farmers to the benefits of using certified rice seed through on-farm demonstrations, using seed dressing to differentiate seed from grain, introducing superior open-pollinated varieties (OPVs), and introducing hybrid varieties. The project is also exploring the possibility of importing drought-tolerant rice varieties from India, which have been shown to have significant benefits in terms of yield and reduced need for irrigation. Additionally, the project is proposing to contact commercial seed companies at the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) 2012 Congress to explore possibilities for importing and evaluating commercially available hybrids in the Nafaka project areas. The project is working closely with the Tanzanian government and other stakeholders to ensure that the development of the rice sector is sustainable and beneficial to farmers. The project's goal is to improve the livelihoods of farmers and contribute to the overall development of the agricultural sector in Tanzania. The project is also working to strengthen the capacity of the Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) to promote the use of certified seed among farmers. ASA is responsible for maintaining the Tanzanian public varieties and drawing on the expertise of rice breeders based at the Agricultural Research Institute - Katrin. ASA also produces both foundation and certified seed of selected crops/varieties, including rice. The project's work with ASA is focused on promoting the use of certified seed among farmers, particularly in the Nafaka project area. The project is also working to strengthen the capacity of ASA to promote private sector participation in the seed industry development through establishment of public-private partnerships or joint ventures in seed production and distribution. Overall, the Nafaka Project is a collaborative effort to improve agricultural productivity and food security in Tanzania through the development of the rice sector. The project's work with ASA and other stakeholders is focused on promoting the use of certified seed among farmers and strengthening the capacity of the agricultural sector to meet the needs of farmers and consumers.