MBEYA — Pyrethrum farmers in Mbeya and Songwe have been urged to abandon traditional farming methods and adopt recommended production practices to increase yields, improve flower quality and raise their earnings.
The call was made by Pareto Tanzania (PCT) Projects Manager John Paschal during the Nanenane Farmers’ Exhibition, which ended on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the John Mwakangale grounds in Mbeya.
Mr Paschal said pyrethrum had the potential to generate greater economic returns for farmers because its raw materials serve both the domestic market and export markets.
He said, however, that farmers could only take full advantage of the crop’s potential if they improved production practices, particularly planting, harvesting and post-harvest handling.
“Farmers should plant pyrethrum according to recommended technical measurements. We advise them to maintain a spacing of 30 centimetres between plants and 60 centimetres between rows. By following these practices, a farmer can harvest between 2,500 and 6,000 kilogrammes per acre,” he said.
The yield, he added, depends on the level of productivity achieved on individual farms.
Mr Paschal said improving productivity at farm level would not only increase the volume of pyrethrum available for processing but also create an opportunity for farmers to earn more from the crop.
PCT Pyrethrum Officer for Mbeya and Songwe, Mussa Malubalo, said the company used the Nanenane exhibition to educate farmers on the importance of following the agricultural calendar and using proper methods to prepare seedlings.
He said the company’s payment arrangement also gives farmers an incentive to improve the quality of their produce.
According to Mr Malubalo, farmers receive an initial payment of TSh4,000 per kilogramme, while a second payment is made after the harvested flowers have undergone quality inspection.
He urged farmers to pay particular attention to harvesting and drying, saying poor post-harvest handling could affect the quality of the flowers and reduce the benefits farmers receive from the crop.
“Farmers need to harvest and dry the flowers properly so that they meet the required standards and qualify for the second payment,” he said.
PCT chemist Fredrick Onasaa said moisture content was among the key factors determining the quality of pyrethrum flowers.
He said the company accepts flowers with moisture content of not more than 13 per cent, warning that excessive moisture compromises the quality and effectiveness of pyrethrum as a raw material used in manufacturing insecticides.
The advice highlights the importance of improving farming practices across the pyrethrum value chain, from seedling preparation and planting to harvesting and drying, as farmers seek to turn the crop into a more reliable source of income.
For farmers in Mbeya and Songwe, adopting these practices could therefore help address low productivity while improving the quality of Tanzanian pyrethrum for both local processing and export markets.
