By The Respondent Reporter - Dodoma
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has promised to continue working with the Tanzanian government and agricultural stakeholders to improve food production by strengthening the country’s seed systems.
Speaking at the National Seed Stakeholders Meeting in Dodoma on Thursday, AGRA’s Country Director Representative, Mr Ipyana Mwakasaka, said that quality seeds play a big role in increasing productivity and achieving food security.
"AGRA will keep supporting the government in many ways. These include helping local seed producers, encouraging research on early-maturing and climate-friendly seed varieties, improving seed distribution, and educating farmers about the benefits of using better seeds," he noted.
Mr Mwakasaka said AGRA is focused on making seeds more accessible, affordable, and of good quality, especially for smallholder farmers. He said small farmers are the backbone of the country’s agriculture and should not be left behind.
He also said AGRA supports the government’s 10/30 Agenda. He praised the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative, which encourages young people to join agriculture and agribusiness.
The meeting in Dodoma brought together many important people in the agriculture sector. They included the Minister for Agriculture Mr Hussein Bashe, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Hussein Omar, members of Parliament, seed producers, and farmers.
Minister Bashe said Tanzania is going through positive changes in agriculture.
"The government has made bold decisions and is investing in the sector to make it stronger and more productive," he said.
He said the results may not be seen right away, but the country is building a strong foundation for future generations. He added that the goal is to make Tanzania a food-secure country, with young people leading in innovation and agribusiness.
The meeting helped bring stakeholders together to agree on priorities and find ways to work closely. They discussed how to make the seed sector stronger and more reliable so it can support food security and grow the economy.
AGRA’s work in Tanzania is part of a larger effort to improve agriculture across Africa.
The organisation wants to help countries deal with challenges like climate change and food shortages. It also supports regional trade in seeds and food to make farming more profitable and stable.
Improving the seed sector in Tanzania will need more than promises. It will take continued support, good leadership, and strong teamwork among all partners. AGRA and the government believe that by working together, they can build a seed system that helps farmers grow more food and earn better incomes.