Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Hussein Bashe, has directed the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) to work closely with the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) to curb the sale and distribution of fake seeds in the country.
Speaking in Dodoma during the official inauguration of the new TOSCI Board of Directors, Bashe stressed that counterfeit seeds remain a major challenge for farmers and agricultural development.
“The problem of fake seeds is a serious challenge for farmers and the growth of agriculture in our country. TOSCI and PCCB must strengthen their collaboration to identify all those involved and take strong legal action against them,” said Bashe.
The minister also instructed the new TOSCI board to coordinate with the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA), and the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) to formulate joint strategies aimed at boosting efficiency and seed production in the country.
During the ceremony, Bashe was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Hon. David Silinde, Deputy Permanent Secretary responsible for Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization, Eng. Athumani Kilundumya, and senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to ministry figures, Tanzania’s demand for quality seeds in the 2025/2026 financial year stands at 127,650 tonnes. Domestic production of certified seeds is projected to increase from 63,526.54 tonnes to 90,000 tonnes, while overall availability is expected to rise from 79,700.62 tonnes to 105,000 tonnes.
