Simiyu. The Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) has called on farmers in Simiyu Region to shift from traditional farming practices and adopt proper fertilizer use to enhance productivity and maximize yields.
Speaking during a recent visit to Simiyu, TFRA Board Chairman Dr Anthony Diallo said many farmers continue to struggle with low yields due to limited adoption of modern agricultural methods, particularly fertilizer application.
Dr Diallo made the remarks during a two-day engagement, held between June 12 and 13, 2025, with members of cooperative societies and farmers producing cotton and maize in Itilima, Meatu, and Maswa districts.
The tour was part of TFRA’s ongoing efforts to promote fertilizer use and address agricultural challenges in the region.
“Farmers can cultivate as little as three acres and still meet both their food and income needs, instead of farming large areas with poor results,” Dr Diallo explained, adding that proper fertilizer use not only boosts yields but also helps reduce land-related conflicts caused by competition for larger farms.
He further noted that improved household incomes could help curb youth migration to urban areas, where many end up engaging in low-paying or informal jobs.
TFRA’s Director of Regulatory Services, Ms Elizabeth Bolle, said the visit also served as a platform to gather farmers’ concerns and challenges in accessing and using fertilizers, with the goal of finding timely solutions that will help them grow their farm enterprises and improve livelihoods.
During the sessions, Cotton Board inspector Mr Daniel Bariyanka urged farmers to make use of available agricultural extension services, including experts under the BBT programme, to receive guidance on good farming practices for cotton and other crops.
“The current cotton prices are competitive compared to our neighbouring countries, but to secure sustainable markets and better profits, we must embrace productivity-enhancing practices, including fertilizer use,” Mr Bariyanka said.
One of the farmers, Leticia Matanga, speaking after a meeting with TFRA officials in Bubalabujiga village, Itilima District, thanked the authority for bringing much-needed education to farmers and called for continued training and awareness campaigns.
“For many years, we have been growing cotton without fertilizers, harvesting only about 250 kilos per acre. But now, we’ve learned that with fertilizer, yields can rise to more than 1,000 kilos. The same applies to maize harvests can jump from 5–7 bags per acre to 30–35 bags with proper fertilizer use,” Matanga said.
The farmers also appealed to the government, TFRA, and other stakeholders to ensure regular access to training and timely supply of affordable fertilizers in their localities.
“We need more frequent training and fertilizer agents stationed closer to our communities to make access easier,” the farmers said.