By Cheji Bakari , The Guardian
THE Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) is advising farmers engaged in commercial agriculture to be vigilant against counterfeit improved seeds, which have led to
increased expenses for purchasing chemicals for preservation and pest control.ASA Marketing Officer, Wakirya John, revealed this during an exclusive interview in Tanga at the ongoing National Education, Skills, and Innovation Week held at Popatlal grounds. She emphasized the importance of farmers being aware of the authenticity of the seeds they purchase, as counterfeit seeds can lead to significant financial losses.
"Many farmers have reported that while improved seeds promise good yields, they often face challenges with pest infestations and damage from birds, both in the fields and during storage at home. This forces farmers to spend a considerable amount of money on chemicals for pest control and preservation," Wakirya explained.
She stressed that high-quality seeds must undergo a rigorous research process and be approved by the appropriate agricultural authorities before being marketed. "Better seeds must pass through research processes and be approved by the agricultural authorized board before entering the market," she said.
Wakirya highlighted that all seeds produced by ASA are of high quality and designed to provide farmers with better results at minimal costs. These seeds have been thoroughly researched by the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and certified by the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI).
In another development, Wakirya explained that the agency has expanded its efforts by establishing demonstration plots in each region. These plots aim to bring services closer to the people and provide practical demonstrations of the seeds' effectiveness.
"Our future plans include introducing more demo plots in the Southern Highland regions such as Njombe, Mbeya, Manyara, Dodoma, and Iringa by next year. Our objective is to demonstrate to both small- and large-scale farmers the quality of our seeds from planting to harvesting. We also aim to train them in modern scientific farming methods that ensure high production," she stated.
Currently, the agency is involved in producing a variety of seeds including sunflower, millet, maize, beans, and other legumes, as well as sesame and vegetables. These seeds are specifically developed to meet the diverse needs of Tanzanian farmers and help improve agricultural productivity across the country.
Counterfeit seeds have had devastating effects on commercial farming, leading to significant financial losses and reduced agricultural productivity. These fake seeds often do not possess the necessary genetic qualities to resist pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, resulting in poor germination rates and substandard crop yields.
Farmers who unknowingly purchase counterfeit seeds find themselves with fields that fail to produce the expected quantity or quality of crops, ultimately undermining their ability to meet market demands and secure profitable returns.
Moreover, the presence of counterfeit seeds forces farmers to invest heavily in additional chemicals and pesticides to combat the unexpected infestations and diseases that these inferior seeds attract.
This not only increases the cost of production but also poses environmental and health risks due to the excessive use of chemical treatments.
The financial burden of purchasing these chemicals, coupled with the loss of crops, drives many farmers into debt, creating a cycle of economic hardship that can be difficult to break. The reliability of the agricultural supply chain is compromised, eroding trust between farmers and seed suppliers.
The long-term consequences of counterfeit seeds extend beyond immediate financial losses. Repeated planting of poor-quality seeds depletes soil nutrients, reduces soil fertility, and disrupts the ecosystem, leading to a decline in overall agricultural sustainability.
Farmers are often forced to abandon previously fertile land and move to new areas, contributing to land degradation and deforestation. This not only harms the environment but also reduces the availability of arable land for future farming, posing a significant threat to food security.
As commercial farming struggles to recover from the damage inflicted by counterfeit seeds, the entire agricultural sector faces diminished growth prospects and heightened vulnerability to market fluctuations.
By according to Wakirya ASA is committed to supporting farmers by providing high-quality seeds that have been rigorously tested and approved.
And by expanding their educational outreach and establishing demonstration plots, ASA is set to enhance farmers' knowledge and skills, ensuring they can achieve the best possible results with minimal costs.
Farmers should stay alert and cautious to prevent the use of counterfeit seeds, safeguarding their investments and optimizing their crop yields.
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