Pareto Tanzania Company (PCT) is leveraging the ongoing Nane Nane exhibitions in Mbeya to intensify awareness campaigns on improving the quality and productivity of pyrethrum flowers, a key cash crop in the Southern Highlands.
The company, which is among the institutions participating in the Southern Highlands Zone exhibitions at John Mwakangale grounds, has placed emphasis on practical training for farmers on best practices in planting, harvesting, and post-harvest handling of pyrethrum.
According to Mr Mussa Malubalo, PCT’s regional officer for Mbeya and Songwe, farmers visiting the PCT pavilion are being introduced to quality-focused techniques that can boost their income through value-based pricing.
He pointed out that farmers who follow proper harvesting and drying methods are eligible for two-tier payments—Sh4,000 per kilogram as an initial payment, and up to Sh5,000 for top-grade flowers.
“Quality begins at harvest. We are showing farmers how to pick the right flowers at the right time and how to use solar dryers to retain pyrethrin levels, which directly determines the market price,” Mr. Malubalo said.
PCT has also introduced farmers to modern weighing equipment and storage techniques aimed at protecting flower integrity before sale. The company is currently investing in more drying infrastructure to meet growing interest.
Data from previous training efforts suggest progress. Mr. Malubalo said that the average pyrethrin content in dried flowers increased from 1.03 percent in 2023 to 1.14 percent in 2024, a result he attributed to improved farmer practices.
In addition to technical training, PCT is using the platform to mobilize farmers for upcoming seed distribution.
“In September, we will distribute over 6,500 kilograms of pyrethrum seed to farmers across Mbeya and Songwe. This is a critical input for expanding production,” Mr. Malubalo noted.
Meanwhile, PCT Quality Specialist Mr. Paul Looken underscored the relationship between harvest timing and chemical quality.
He noted that mature flowers—identified by fully open yellow centers—carry more weight and higher pyrethrin content, translating into greater earnings.
“Improper post-harvest handling, such as exposing dried flowers to direct sunlight for extended periods, leads to pyrethrin degradation, which in turn disqualifies the produce from second-level payments,” Mr. Looken explained.
The pyrethrum subsector has been gaining attention as a potential driver of rural income growth, especially in highland regions.
However, productivity and quality remain challenges, often constrained by outdated farming practices, limited extension services, and inadequate processing infrastructure.
PCT’s approach aligns with national efforts to commercialize high-value crops while promoting farmer education through platforms like NaneNane. By addressing both production and market linkage, the company aims to transform smallholder participation in the pyrethrum value chain.