By Alfred Zacharia
The Director General of Tanzania Fertilizer Company (TFC), Mr. Samuel Mshote, has underscored the critical role of soil health testing in determining the appropriate type of fertilizer needed across different agricultural zones, as Tanzania moves closer to launching domestic production of subsidized fertilizer.
Speaking on Sunday, during a visit to the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) pavilion at the ongoing 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, Mr. Mshote said soil diagnostics are a strategic starting point for aligning fertilizer application with actual crop and regional needs.
“Tanzania is on the verge of producing subsidized fertilizers locally. This makes it imperative for institutions such as TFC to collaborate closely with research bodies like TARI to ensure that the fertilizers we produce are responsive to the actual soil conditions of respective farming regions,” he said.
His remarks point to a policy shift that increasingly values evidence-based agricultural interventions, particularly in nutrient management.
Soil testing, which remains underutilized in many parts of the country, is gaining renewed attention as a tool for increasing yields while avoiding blanket fertilizer application that may be economically inefficient and environmentally unsound.
TFC, a state-owned enterprise tasked with ensuring reliable access to fertilizers, is finalizing the installation of a blending facility capable of mixing up to 120 tonnes per hour.
Once operational, the plant is expected to significantly enhance the country’s capacity to produce customized fertilizers tailored to specific soil and crop requirements.
“This is not just about blending inputs. It's about delivering the right inputs in the right quantities to the right places,” Mr. Mshote added, noting that the facility will contribute to reducing dependence on imported blends, while improving timely access for farmers under the government’s subsidy programme.
In addition to TARI, Mr. Mshote toured several other key agricultural institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture, including the Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA), Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA), and the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC).
These engagements reflect a growing inter-institutional focus on strengthening the input delivery system, particularly in light of the government’s broader agricultural transformation agenda.
The move to align fertilizer production with local soil data is in line with national efforts to enhance productivity, food security, and resilience in the face of climate variability.
Experts argue that such strategies are long overdue, as fertilizer misuse or underuse continues to undermine farm-level performance in many parts of Tanzania.