The Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Hussein Bashe (MP), has today, October 4, 2024, officially launched Thurisave-24, an advanced bio-pesticide designed to eliminate harmful pests threatening maize and cotton crops.
The product, developed by Tanzania Biotech Products Limited (TBPL), was introduced during a ceremony held in the Coast Region.
Thurisave-24 is a biological solution specifically engineered to target destructive pests like the armyworm in maize and bollworms in cotton.
TBPL has also produced other eco-friendly pest control products, including bio-pesticides aimed at controlling mosquito populations, which further showcases the company’s commitment to sustainable agricultural solutions.
Minister Bashe emphasized the importance of innovation in agriculture and urged key national agencies to form strategic partnerships with TBPL.
He instructed the Ministry of Agriculture, the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), and the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) to collaborate with TBPL in research and production to bolster the availability of biological pest control solutions.
“I urge TPHPA to evaluate the possibility of procuring Thurisave-24 and distributing it free of charge to farmers growing maize and cotton. This will not only enhance crop yields but also promote the use of eco-friendly solutions in pest management,” Minister Bashe highlighted.
He further called on TPHPA to conduct research into developing similar bio-pesticides for avocado crops, a significant agricultural product in regions such as Njombe, Mbeya, Iringa, and Kilimanjaro.
TBPL, a government-operated facility under the National Development Corporation (NDC), stands as the only factory in Africa capable of producing biological pest control agents specifically designed for mosquitoes and other crop-damaging pests.
Valued at over USD 24 million, this cutting-edge facility plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Tanzania's agricultural sector adopts sustainable practices to combat pest-related challenges.
The launch event was graced by the Regional Commissioner of Pwani, Hon. Abubakar Kunenge, alongside officials from TPHPA, TARI, and executives from Tanzania Biotech Products Limited.
With the unveiling of Thurisave-24, Tanzania takes a bold step towards embracing innovative and environmentally-friendly agricultural technologies that promise to transform crop protection and enhance food security for farmers nationwide.