The Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) has urged seed and seedling producers to register their farms and nurseries to strengthen quality assurance in the sector.
TOSCI Director, Nyasebwa Chimangu, said the move is aimed at ensuring farmers access certified seeds and seedlings that meet required standards.
He noted that with Tanzania now ranked third globally in avocado exports, quality assurance from the seed stage has become essential.
“So far, TOSCI has certified five avocado seed varieties that meet international requirements,” he said.
Mr Chimangu added that Tanzanian avocados are currently exported to China, South Africa, India, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean, where strict quality benchmarks are observed.
He emphasised that registered producers will benefit from training offered by TOSCI, while warning that selling uncertified seeds and seedlings without the institute’s mark will attract legal action.
Farmers were also advised to check for the official TOSCI label before purchasing seeds and seedlings to confirm their authenticity.