Tanzania’s Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) has partnered with seed stakeholders to establish seed certification standards for different tree, fruit, and sugarcane crops. According to Dr. Patrick Ngwediagi, the Director-General of TOSCI, the standards are currently awaiting approval by other authorities before the state-owned institute can commence the certification process for coffee, tea, sugarcane, pawpaw, cashew, and grape vine crops.
Certification and Registration of High-Quality Seeds
Dr. Ngwediagi stated that TOSCI’s primary objective is to guarantee that all seed varieties certified and registered in the country are of excellent quality in terms of yield and disease resistance. Seed quality attributes, such as germination, purity, vigor, and seed health, are expressed during the seed certification process, he added.
In addition, Dr. Ngwediagi explained that during variety registration, the institute evaluates a variety for its suitability, yield, resistance to diseases and drought, or any other traits stated by the breeder/applicant. Furthermore, the TOSCI Director-General stated that the institute is currently working to ensure that all tree and fruit plant varieties, including potential food and economic cash crops, are professionally certified and registered.
Training and Registration of Seed Multipliers and Sellers
As part of its efforts to improve seed sector performance and standards across Tanzania, TOSCI is also embarking on a critical exercise to train and register seed/seedlings/cuttings multipliers and sellers from across the country, Dr. Ngwediagi stated. He emphasized that the institute is working to ensure that all certified and registered seed varieties are of high quality and t
hat seed dealers across the country deliver services according to the Seed Act, 2003, and its regulations.
The Director-General added that TOSCI has implemented a special program to empower seed dealers to offer services in line with the Seed Act and Regulations. Dr. The institute has decided to educate seed dealers to help them perform their business ethically and legally.
Tanzania’s seed sector has experienced rapid growth in recent years, and certification and registration of high-quality seeds are essential to sustaining the industry’s expansion. With TOSCI’s commitment to ensuring that all seed varieties certified and registered in the country meet high-quality standards, Tanzania’s seed sector is poised for growth and development.
